”It is not true”, Ondo REC reacts to allegations ahead of Nov 16 guber poll

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola has refuted allegations of being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party

Mrs. Babalola also said she never held any meeting with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

She spoke after a coalition of youths in the state, under the auspices of Ondo State Youth Vanguard (OSYV), petitioned the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, demanding her removal before the November 16th election.

“It is not true. I didn’t hold any clandestine meeting with the governor or any member of any party. In INEC, we relate with all political parties. I have been operating open door policies with all parties. I don’t have any preferred candidate for the election.

“I am not a member of any political party. In this election, we will ensure every vote counts and I promise, there won’t be any form of bias in this election. The poll will be free, fair and credible,”Babalola stated.

But the coalition through their solicitor, Adeniyi Farinto, accused Babalola of fraternising with politicians ahead of the November 16th governorship election.

The petition said: “Clients further informed us that Mrs. Babalola was born, bred and had educational background in Akure, Ondo State, by reason of which she has so many friends in Akure, who are prominent members of APC.

“Apart from this fact, she has been living in Akure, the state capital, with her parents for more than 10 years before her appointment as the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, and she and her parents are known to be card-carrying members of APC.

“We implore you as a matter of urgency to transfer Mrs. Babalola as the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner before the forthcoming governorship election.

“This demand becomes necessary and imperative in order to safeguard electoral integrity, fairness and level playing field in the coming governorship election in Ondo State.

“The compromised position of Mrs. Babalola is further undermined by her activities and alliance with members of political parties within the state. This clearly, is a conflict of interest, which threatens to undermine the foundation of our democracy and imperil the trust of the people of Ondo State in the electoral process.”

Ondo Administrative Secretary of INEC, Biodun Amosun, confirmed receipt of the petition, but said the national headquarters of INEC would look into the matter.

Several groups protested at the headquarters of INEC in Akure on Wednesday and demanded the removal of Mrs Babalola. The protesters accused the Ondo REC of romancing with political parties in the state ahead of the November 16th governorship election.

They expressed fears that the election would not be free and fair if Mrs. Babalola was allowed to preside over the conduct of the polls.

Spokesman for the protesters and Akure South Coordinator of Vanguard for Democracy, Olawale Ijanusi, said they protested because they wanted their votes to count.

Administrative Secretary of INEC in Ondo State, Amosun, assured the protesters that their votes would count.

Amosun said allegations against the REC would be handled at the national headquarters of the electoral body.