A post circulating on social media claims that Professor Anugbum Onuoha has been appointed as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.
The post further stated that Onuoha is the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesome Wife’s cousin.
A verified x user, @underworld_09, made the post on April 18, 2026, with the caption:
“BREAKING: INEC Chairman Amupitan Appoints Nyesom Wike’s Cousin as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.”
As of April 28, 2026, the post has garnered over 450,000 views, 2000 likes, 2000 repost and tons of comments, as the post sparked public debate due to the family ties.
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CLAIM
The INEC Chairman appointed Nyesom Wike’s cousin, Anugbum Onuoha, as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Akwa Ibom State.
FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub confirm that Professor Anugbum Onuoha has indeed assumed duty as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State as of April 18, 2026.
He succeeds the former REC, Isah Shuaibu Oris, following a redeployment exercise by the commission.
Onuoha previously served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, a position he held during the lead-up to the 2024 gubernatorial elections. Official communications from INEC in May 2024 confirm his tenure and active role in Edo State during that period.
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Onuoha earlier claimed his relationship with Wike is a matter of public record. In an interview posted on SYMFONI news on YouTube two years ago, Onuoha addressed the controversy surrounding his kinship with the Minister, stating that he was not hiding the fact that he is Wike’s cousin.
“I was posted here since last year, nobody complained that I’m a cousin to Wike. Of course Wike is my cousin, am I hiding it? So, he’s my cousin. What I’m telling you is that, Wike is my cousin does not mean I’m not a Nigerian again. Am I not qualified to hold such position? Don’t I have experience and character to do that? And one man, nobody can force me to do what is wrong, I won’t do that.” He stated.
Though he maintained that his professional conduct is guided by the law and his oath of office rather than familial affiliations.
VERDICT
The claim that Nyesom Wike’s cousin, Anugbum Onuoha, was appointed as the Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner is TRUE. He was officially deployed to the state on April 18, 2026, after previously serving as the REC for Edo State in 2024.
Seasoned writer and literary curator, Zainab Abdulrasaq is a factchecker for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached on IG @blackbookishgirl or zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org
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