October 29, 2024
By Idris Buba
The calls for the redeployment of the Ondo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, from the state by some individuals and political parties, especially the peoples democratic party, PDP reached it boiling point on Tuesday when scores of placard carrying crowd from Ondo state, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja demanding her removal.
Waving banners and placards with various inscriptions, such as “Mahmood: Redeploy Babalola Now” and “We Don’t Want a Repeat of Edo Fiasco,” the demonstrators blocked the entrance to the national secretariat, demanding access to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The protest coming after several calls by PDP in the state and recently Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, made a similar request, citing concerns over Babalola’s alleged relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress in the Ondo state, Speaking at a Peoples Democratic Party campaign rally in Akure, Makinde argued that Babalola’s background in Ondo may compromise election in the state.
Leader of the demonstrators and Convener of the Ondo Youth League, Ayo Adeyemi, told journalists that while they had no personal issues with the REC, they do not trust her to be unbiased in the upcoming election.
Adeyemi stated, “Redeploying Babalola is in the best interest of our people and INEC to ensure a free and credible election.”
“We urgently demand that INEC redeploy Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, from the state. We respect her accomplishments, especially as a woman who has risen to such a prominent position. But for a free and fair election in Ondo, we can’t have Babalola overseeing the process. She grew up here, knows nearly everyone in the public sector, and is highly familiar with the state.
Babalola hasn’t done anything wrong; we simply want her reassigned to another state to avoid any possible conflict of interest.”
“We’re not here to criticise INEC’s operations; we just want an unbiased REC to oversee the upcoming governorship election.”
READ MORE; PDP shifts NEC meeting to November.
Receiving the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), commended them for their orderly conduct and assured them that the commission would look into their demand regarding Babalola’s as the state REC.
“We appreciate seeing you come here well-organised, INEC operates impartially, without alignment to any political party or candidate. We function under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”
“We have received your letter, INEC will consider it thoroughly. Rest assured, your concerns will be analysed and addressed by the commission chairman.”
The 2024 Ondo State gubernatorial election will hold on November 16, 2024 Incumbent APC governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is running for election to a full term. Former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi of the PDP and 15 other political parties are also participating.
