The Senate had last week Wednesday on the strength of a request from President Bola Tinubu, confirmed appointment of Umoren as Resident Electoral Commissioner from Akwa Ibom State along with nine others.
Umoren’s confirmation was, however, kicked against by some interest groups in the polity, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party on the alleged ground of being a card-carrying member of APC.
In kicking against the appointment of Umoren as REC, last week Thursday, PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the appointee was an APC leader who has been at the forefront of APC campaigns and has projected the party’s interests in previous elections.
But APC stakeholders from Akwa Ibom State led by Hon Eseme Eyiboh in Abuja on Sunday at a press conference, refuted the alleged membership of Umoren in their party.
Eyiboh at the press conference, challenged PDP or any other group alleging membership of Umoren in APC Akwa Ibom State, to go beyond attire adornment, saying “Anybody can wear any attire he she likes at any time.
“As it is in law, the onus of proof lies on those making allegations. Umoren as far as APC is concerned in Akwa Ibom State, is not a card-carrying member and cannot be alleged to be a member.
“He is a bureaucrat that had served the government of Akwa Ibom State in different capacities over the years and is not a member of any political party.
“Those alleging that Umoren adorned attire with APC inscription should go further by coming up with his membership card of the party and name in the party’s register in his ward as required by law.
“Membership of a political party goes beyond wearing the attire of the party to being a card-carrying member and also having financial standing with the political party by being a registered member whose name is among others, in the party’s register.
” So, it is wrong for anybody or group of people to take an ordinary mode of dressing of a person at any time, to ascribe membership of a party or organization to that person.
“Umoren is eminently qualified for the REC position assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu. PDP and others kicking against his appointment should find something else to talk about “, he added.
