Guber Poll: Group Storms INEC, Demands Redeployment  of Ondo REC

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Election yesterday  stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the redeployment of  Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo state, Mrs. Toyin Babalola ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

The Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde during the recent political campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently alleged that Babalola is from the state and demanded her redeployment.

But the electoral body in a post on its verified X handle described Makinde’s as unfounded.

It said: “Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde at his party’s campaign rally held today in Akure in which he called on the INEC Chairman to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, because “she is from Ondo State.”

However, not convinced by INEC’s response, the group insisted that the processes leading to the scheduled Saturday November 16 election should not only be transparent and credible, but must be coordinated by persons whose views and opinions are consistent and not biased.  

The protesters were armed with placards with various inscription like: “INEC, let Ondo be the example of transparency needed to build public trust across Nigeria ; INEC, it is time to ensure fairness, redeploy Babalola; A credible election can mark a new chapter for INEC in Nigeria’s democratic journey; We don’t want a repeat of Edo fiasco, INEC chairman do the right thing for Ondo people; INEC’s dedication to a transparent Info election could be a powerful step toward regaining the people’s trust,”among others.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Ayo Adeyemi said from their findings, Babalola is from Ondo state, saying there are growing concerns over her impartiality and potential bias in the forthcoming election.  

He said: “We, the members of the Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, want to use this medium to call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu to heed to wise counsel by redeploying the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. 

“Our call this morning is to ensure that the processes leading to the scheduled Saturday November 16, 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo state is not only transparent and credible, but must be coordinated by persons whose views and opinions are consistent and not biased.  

“From our findings, Mrs Babalola is from Ondo state and there are growing concerns over her impartiality and potential bias in the forthcoming election.  

“It has also been established that Mrs Babalola’s alleged fraternity with the ruling party in Ondo state is an impediment and a threat to democracy and other political parties in the election. 

 “In the light of the above and for the purpose of credibility and transparency, we therefore wish to reiterate our demand for the immediate redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as INEC REC in Ondo State.”

Adeyemi added that INEC would take steps to rekindle the trust of the people of Ondo State by addressing the matter before the election. 

Addressing the protesters,  INEC National Commissioner, Maj-Gen. M.A Alkali, reiterated that the electoral body has no political party, or candidate.

He added that INEC would not disappoint the people of Ondo State as far as the forthcoming election is concerned 

Alkali noted: “I want to assure you that INEC doesn’t waiver in what we do. We listen to you people and we listen to everybody. INEC has no political party, INEC has no candidate, we are here for the country, we operate based on rules and regulations. We are a child of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“Let me restate the mission of INEC, it is to serve as an independent and effective election management body, committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in support of democracy. 

“So, we don’t waiver and we promise you, we will never fail you. we have received your letter, it is with us and we have acknowledged it.”