Group protests at INEC office in Abuja, demands redeployment of Ondo REC

The Ondo Youth League has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Oluwatoyin Babalola, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) for the state, ahead of the governorship election. 

The Ondo governorship poll will hold on November 16.

On Tuesday, protesters converged outside the INEC office in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with placards bearing various inscriptions.

The protesters drummed, sang, and danced in unison.

There has been a slew of allegations and calls for Babalola’s redeployment over alleged conflict of interest.

In a petition dated September 27 and addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, the Ondo State Vanguard expressed a lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election.

The group had demanded Babalola’s redeployment due to alleged ties with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They alleged that the REC, who was born and educated in Akure, has shown support for the APC and its candidate through recent actions, including unilaterally validating the APC primary election report.

On October 16, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, alleged that Babalola is an indigene of Ondo state.

Makinde said the REC must be removed to ensure the electoral umpire’s neutrality.

“This message is for INEC national chairman Yakubu Mahmood that you must redeploy the Ondo REC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. She is from Ondo state,” the governor had said.

“We will protest until she is removed. Ondo REC must be redeployed. She was born here; her parents live here. She can never be fair in this election. We don’t want her in Ondo state; Babalola must leave.”

Afterwards, INEC denied allegations made by the Oyo governor.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, spokesperson for the INEC chairman, said the REC will not be redeployed because there has been no evidence of unethical behaviour against her.

The commission also rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) request for Babalola’s redeployment.