Remove Ondo INEC REC, Makinde tells Mahmood Yakubu
By Jeffrey Agbo
Oyo State Governor and South-West Zonal leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde, has called on INEC national chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to immediately remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the governorship election on November 16.
Makinde told a crowd on Tuesday in Akure during the flag-off of the 2024 Ondo PDP governorship election campaign that her removal would preserve the integrity of the election.
The governor said the party would not allow a repeat of Edo State governorship election drama in Ondo.
“This message is for the INEC national chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud. You must remove the REC in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola,” said Makinde.
“She’s from Ondo State. What they did in Edo will not succeed in Ondo. We will protest until she’s 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.”
He, however, urged party supporters to go from house to house, ward to ward over the next three weeks and win voters for PDP.
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Corroborating Makinde, the governorship candidate of the party for the poll, Agboola Ajayi, demanded that Babalola should be redeployed from the state on grounds that she may not be fair if allowed to conduct the election.
“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,” he said.
Ajayi also listed his seven key agenda for the state which include infrastructure, agriculture, and health development amongst others.
“We will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies particularly Amotekun, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and Traditional Hunters through advanced training and provision of appropriate equipment. With the cooperative engagement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders implement community policing and neighborhood watch programs to improve public safety.
“Massively, we will produce food to immediately end hunger in the state by purchasing and distributing high-yield seeds, seedlings, and inputs to farmers. Increase and improve classrooms and other buildings for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions within the state. Free and compulsory education at the primary and junior secondary levels for all.”
On health, Agboola said, his government will provide a primary health center in each of the 203 wards in the state to be staffed by trained and dedicated medical personnel and provide essential drugs, hospital consumables, and laboratory services to patients at affordable costs.”