Ondo Guber: Youths protest, call for redeployment of REC

….Accuse her of hobnobbing with politicians

…Redeployment of REC beyond us here— Admin Secretary

….As SDP dep gov candidate resigns from party, contest

By Dayo Johnson

YOUTHS under the auspices of Ondo State Youth Vanguard, in Ondo State, yesterday, protested against the alleged hobnobbing of the Resident National Electoral Commissioner in the state, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, with politicians in the state and called for her redeployment ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

The protesting youths, who stormed the commission’s office in Akure, were armed with placards of various inscriptions such as ‘Ondo REC must be changed’, ‘Our election must count’, ‘Ondo is not Edo’, ‘Ondo REC must go’.

The leader of the group, Olawale Ijanusi, who called for her removal, said that the peaceful protest became necessary to register their grievances over the activities of the REC.

Ijanusi said: “This raises serious concerns among the citizens, voters, and the stakeholders in Ondo state of the impartiality and neutrality of the INEC.

“The Ondo State REC has been living in Akure with her parents for over 10 years before her appointment as the State REC and her parents are known to be card-carrying members of a political party.

“The above facts which are in the public domain is an attestation to the fact that Mrs Babalola will not and can never be fair, unbiased, and an uncompromised umpire in the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship Election as the REC.

“We have been hearing rumours that the REC has been engaging with certain political parties. We do not know whether it is the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, but we want to caution her and demand that, if true, she should stop.

“If she is affiliated with the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, there is no way the election will be free and fair. That is why we are demanding her replacement for the sake of this election.

“We, hereby, urge you to use your good offices to transfer Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola out of Ondo State immediately and appoint a neutral, unbiased, and credible individual as the REC of Ondo State to superintend the forthcoming governorship election.”

Redeployment of REC beyond us here— Admin Secretary

But while addressing the protesting youths, the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Abiodun Amosun, lauded the peaceful manner in which the youths expressed their grievances.

Speaking on the allegations against the REC, Amosun said: “We have heard your demands. The issue will be handled at the headquarters because she was appointed from Abuja.

“It is not easy for INEC to tamper with your votes or results. Ensure you have a situation room where you collate results from the polling units.”

SDP dep gov candidate resigns from party, contest

In another development, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Mrs Susan Alabi has resigned from the party and the contest.

It was gathered that her action was a sequel to irreconcilable differences with the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Bamidele Akingboye.

Alabi’s resignation letter, dated October 2, 2004, was addressed to the National Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

She said: “I am writing to formally resign from my membership in the SDP effective immediately.

“This decision was not made lightly as I have valued my time with the party. However, after careful consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to pursue new opportunities and directions.

“Please also note that I have given notice of my resignation as the SDP deputy governorship candidate in the 2024 Governorship election to Mr Bamidele Akingboye who is the SDP governorship candidate.”

When contacted for comment, the Director General of the Otunba Bamidele Akingboye Campaign Organisation, Femi lkoyi, said: “The party candidate was not aware of the resignation of the deputy governorship candidate.”