Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Speaking at a rally in Akure, the state capital, Makinde urged INEC to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. He alleged that Babalola, being an indigene of the state, could not be impartial in overseeing the election.
The governor’s demand has stirred a fresh wave of political tension ahead of the election, which is seen as a crucial test for the major parties in Nigeria.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters during the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Akure, Governor Makinde expressed concerns over what he described as potential manipulation of the election results.
“We are here to ensure that the will of the people prevails,” Makinde said passionately to the crowd. “INEC must do the right thing by removing the REC, Mrs. Babalola. She is from Ondo State, and this raises serious concerns about fairness.”
Makinde further explained that bringing in a neutral REC would be the first step towards ensuring that the election is free and fair.
“What we saw happen in the recent Edo election cannot be repeated here,” he added. “We will not sit back and allow anyone to manipulate the outcome. The people of Ondo deserve a fair contest, and we are ready to fight for that.”
The governor did not mince words as he vowed that the PDP would continue to protest until INEC removes Mrs. Babalola from her position.
“This rally is the beginning of the victory march for the PDP in Ondo,” he declared. “We are not afraid of a fair contest. We will continue to protest until the REC is removed and a new, impartial person is brought in.”
Makinde also urged Ondo residents to come out in large numbers and support the PDP’s candidate, Chief Agboola Ajayi, a former Deputy Governor of the state. He described Ajayi as the leader who could bring real change and end what he called “the hardship and suffering in Ondo.”
“Go from ward to ward, house to house, and spread the message of hope,” Makinde charged his supporters. “It’s time to bring real hope to Ondo State.”
In response to Governor Makinde’s call for the removal of the Ondo REC, INEC has dismissed the claims as baseless. In a statement released on its official social media platform, the electoral body clarified that Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State, as alleged by Makinde.
“Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by Governor Seyi Makinde that the REC for Ondo State is from Ondo. This is completely false,” INEC’s statement read.
The commission explained that it has a strict policy that prevents a REC from being deployed to his or her state of origin to avoid conflicts of interest. According to INEC, Mrs. Babalola’s deployment to Ondo was in line with this policy.
“Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State. We appeal to holders of high public office to verify their information before making such unfounded allegations,” INEC said, adding that similar false claims were made during the 2020 governorship election.
The Ondo governorship race is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP. Agboola Ajayi, who is running on the PDP platform, has promised to address the pressing economic and social issues plaguing the state if elected.
Ondo, like many other states in Nigeria, has faced significant economic challenges, including high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and rising poverty levels. The election is expected to be fiercely contested, with both the PDP and APC seeking to gain an upper hand.
Governor Makinde, who has been a vocal supporter of Ajayi, believes that the PDP candidate is the solution to Ondo’s problems. “Agboola Ajayi is the man who can bring real change to this state,” Makinde said during the campaign rally.
“We need a leader who understands the struggles of the people and who will not just make promises, but deliver on them. That is why I am urging all Ondo residents to come out and vote for him.”
The Akure rally, which marked the official launch of Ajayi’s governorship campaign, was attended by several top PDP leaders, including the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Umar Damagum. Damagum presented the PDP flag to Ajayi, symbolizing the party’s full support for his candidacy.
“This is the time for the people of Ondo to rise and reject the current state of hardship,” Damagum said. “The PDP is here to offer hope and a better future. Vote for Agboola Ajayi and let’s bring an end to suffering in Ondo.”
Other prominent PDP figures, including the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, were also present at the rally.
As the election draws nearer, tensions between the PDP and APC are expected to escalate. The PDP’s demand for the removal of the REC has added a new layer of controversy to the race, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Governor Makinde’s bold stance on ensuring a level playing field reflects the growing frustration among opposition parties, who have repeatedly accused INEC of bias in past elections. For now, INEC insists that it will conduct the election in a fair and transparent manner, but the PDP is not backing down from its demand.
“We are not afraid of a contest, but it must be fair,” Makinde reiterated. “We will continue to protest until INEC removes the REC and ensures that every vote counts in this election.”