Ondo REC is partisan, she cannot conduct credible election – Gov Makinde

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, is partisan and expressed lack of confidence in her.

The party called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, to remove Babalola before the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state made the call on Tuesday in Akure while addressing PDP faithful during the official flag-off of the Ondo State governorship campaign.

Makinde, who is leader of PDP in the South-West, explained that aside from being partisan, the REC is from Ondo state.

The governor noted that Babalola’s removal would prevent what happened during the last governorship election in Edo state, and ensure a free and fair election in Ondo State.

He warned that the opposition party would not fold its arms and allow a repeat of what happened in the Edo election.

Makinde appealed to the INEC Chairman to deploy another REC that will be fair and allow a level playing field in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“This message is for the INEC national chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud. You must remove the REC in Ondo state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola.

“The last governorship election in Edo state was a fraud and we don’t want that in Ondo state. The current REC is from Ondo state. We don’t want her to conduct this election. We will not condone injustice.

“What they did in Edo will not succeed in Ondo. We will protest until she is removed. Bring another REC that will be fair, that will allow a level playing field. We as PDP aren’t afraid of any contest. Remove her or else, we will continue to protest.”

Also, the PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, asked for the deployment of Babalola from the state, saying the REC would not be fair if allowed to conduct the poll.

“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,” Ajayi said.

Agboola promised to diligently implement his 7-key agenda for the state which includes infrastructure, agriculture and health development.

The Chairman, Ondo National Campaign Council, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, described the PDP candidate, Ajayi, as a tested hand.

The PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagun, said: “We don’t want what happened in Edo state in Ondo state.

“We want free, fair and credible elections in Ondo state. Our governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, is a well tested candidate that can deliver dividends of democracy for the good people of Ondo state.”