The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to stop making serial and unfounded allegations.
INEC issued the warning to Makinde after the Oyo State Governor told the electoral body to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola.
“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,” INEC said on Tuesday night in a post on its official X account.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State in line with the commission’s policy not to deploy a REC to his or her state of origin.
“In 2020, ahead of the last governorship election in the same state, Makinde accused a senior official of the commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election but the allegation was untrue.
“We appeal to holders of high public office such as Governor Makinde to verify their information before making these serial, unfounded allegations.”
Governor Makinde, meanwhile, on Tuesday called on INEC to act fairly by ensuring a level playing field as the governorship election in Ondo State approaches.
Makinde challenged the commission’s chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to replace the Ondo REC, an indigene of the state, to demonstrate fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
The governor made this statement in Akure during the flag-off of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign and the presentation of the party’s flag to its candidate, former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Agboola Ajayi.
Expressing satisfaction with the large turnout of residents at the rally held at Oyemekun Road, Akure, Makinde urged voters to support the PDP candidate in the November 16, 2024, governorship election to bring real hope to the state.
He vowed that the PDP would not allow a repeat of the irregularities witnessed in the recent Edo State election, stating that the party would continue to protest until the Ondo REC is replaced.
“This rally marks the beginning of PDP’s victory party in Ondo State. Please, go from ward to ward, house to house, in the next three weeks to win souls for the PDP, and it shall be well with us,” Makinde said.
“But I have a message for the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, you must remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, because she is from Ondo State.
“What happened in the Edo election cannot happen here in Ondo. We will protest until she is removed.
“Bring in another REC who will ensure fairness and a level playing field. As PDP, we are not afraid of fair competition. Remove her, or we will continue protesting.”
