Ondo guber: We’re resolute in demand for redeployment of Ondo REC, says PDP chieftain

Sanya Atofarati, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo, has alleged that Toyin Babalola, the state resident electoral commission (REC), is “unfit” to oversee the upcoming governorship election.

The state governorship election is scheduled to hold on November 16.

In a statement by Atofarati, on Wednesday, he said the party believes that Babalola has ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which makes her “unfit” to oversee the election.

The PDP chieftain said the party has emphasised the importance of vigilance among the people of Ondo state to protect their mandate.

He said the PDP is confident that the people of Ondo state are determined to vote for Agboola Ajayi, the party’s governorship candidate, in the November election, warning that any attempts to manipulate the election will be met with strong resistance.

“The Southwest PDP remains resolute in their support for the redeployment call of Mrs. Toyin Babalola, who is currently the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, because she cannot be trusted to superintend the November governorship election due to her conspicuous ties with the ruling APC in the state,” Atofarati said.

“The people of Ondo State, especially the downtrodden, are particularly concerned about the upcoming election, and INEC has the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral processes. The people will not tolerate any act of manipulation by a known ally of the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other APC leaders.

“It is evident now that the people of Ondo State have resolved to vote for the PDP candidate, His Excellency, Agboola Ajayi, in the November election, and any attempt to impose a manipulator will be strongly resisted.”

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the PDP campaign in Akure, Ondo state capital, Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, had said the REC must be removed to ensure the neutrality of the electoral umpire.

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

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) described the allegation as false, saying the REC is not from Ondo state.

But the PDP chieftain in the south-west said despite the denial by INEC, the commission refused to state the state of origin of the REC.

“Mrs. Babalola was born in the Igbara Odo area; now Igbara Odo is in Ekiti South West of Old Ondo State. That after the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, that area was now demarcated into Ekiti State. However, throughout her life, the party alleges that she grew up in Ondo State,” he said.

“So let no one fool us; either she claims Ekiti State now or not; she was born, bred, and grew up in Ondo State.

“It will be honourable for the INEC chairman to at least be honourable for once and do the right thing. The main question is: Must it be Mrs. Babalola? In a country of over 200 million talented individuals, why is INEC finding it difficult to replace her?”