By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday October 9, 2020 denied appointing the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the returning officer for the Ondo Governorship election, holding on Saturday.
INEC’s National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
Okoye was responding to the allegation by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council and Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday in Akure that the commission appointed Ogunbodede as the returning officer for the Ondo election.
Makinde also alleged that Ogunbodede was a known crony of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and might not be fair to all in the election, and called for his immediate replacement, according to NAN.
But Okoye clarified that INEC’s returning officer for the Ondo State governorship election was not from Ondo State or from the OAU.
His words: “While the Commission will not be drawn into speculations relating to the performance of its constitutional and statutory functions, it is imperative to set the records straight for the benefit of the people of Ondo State and the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is the sole responsibility of the Commission to appoint a Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election and does not share this responsibility with any individual, group or political party.
“The returning officer appointed by the Commission will report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State on the date conveyed in his letter of appointment issued several days ago.
“The Commission is firmly focused to conduct a free, fair, and peaceful election and implores all stakeholders to cooperate and play their own part in ensuring a peaceful election and not to engage in unhelpful speculation.”
Okoye explained that the main concern of the Commission was to ensure a credible electoral process, while the outcome was in the hands of the people of Ondo State.