The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo state, Toyin Babalola is not from Ondo State contrary to the claim by the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday expressed lack of confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo state, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Seyi Makinde had earlier called on the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, to remove the commissioner ahead of the governorship election slated for November 16 in the state.
Makinde made the call while addressing a crowd of party supporters in Akure during the official flag-off ceremony of the 2024 Ondo state PDP governorship election campaign.
The Oyo state governor, who is also the PDP south-west leader, said the removal of the REC would prevent what happened during the last gubernatorial election in Edo state and ensure a free, fair and credible election in Ondo.
He said: “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.”
In a statement on its official page, INEC warned public officials to always verify information before making claims.
The statement fully read;
“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.”
“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, he accused a senior official of the Commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election. 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.”
