The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has reinforced its call for the removal of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, over concerns regarding her indigeneship.
The party argued that her continued presence in the position could undermine the integrity of the forthcoming Ondo governorship election.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the PDP emphasized that the failure of the commission to disclose Babalola’s state of origin cast doubts on the credibility of the electoral process.
The letter, signed by the state Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Oluseye Olujimi, stated, “For the umpteenth time, we are calling on you, to as a matter of urgency, replace the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, appointed and posted to Ondo State by the INEC under your authority, with a non-partisan official with no previous association with Ondo State.”
While acknowledging Babalola’s long-term residency in Ondo State, the party argued that this factor further disqualified her from being an impartial umpire in the election.
“She has been residing in Ondo State for more than three decades now, even up till this moment, with her parents and siblings at House Number 3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area of Akure Town,” the letter noted.
The PDP also cited Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who echoed the call for Babalola’s removal during a recent governorship campaign in Ondo.
The party urged INEC to view the matter with seriousness, warning that continued protests would follow if their request was not met. “Governor Seyi Makinde’s warning that the PDP will continue to protest until its request is met, should not be taken as an empty threat,” the letter stated.
Responding to the allegations, INEC reiterated that the calls for Babalola’s removal were not backed by any credible evidence of unethical or criminal acts. The commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, remarked that INEC’s decisions on deploying or redeploying RECs are not influenced by political parties or partisan individuals.
He stated, “The Independent National Electoral Commission deploys and redeploys Resident Electoral Commissioners based on its established policy, not on calls by political parties or partisan individuals, especially if such calls are not backed by any credible evidence of unethical or criminal act against the REC in question.”
Oyekanmi added, “To that extent, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State will not be redeployed. We appeal to the PDP to join hands with the commission in its effort to conduct a free and fair election in the state on November 16.”
Despite INEC’s stance, the PDP maintained that Babalola’s indigeneship, residency, and alleged affiliation with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made her unfit to oversee the election. The party warned that any oversight in this matter could replicate controversies similar to those experienced in the recent Edo State election.
The letter concluded with a strong appeal to INEC, “It has become expedient that you act positively on the content of this letter, following a statement credited to your commission on Tuesday, 15 October, 2024. Chairman Sir, it is obvious that your office did not do a diligent check before issuing that unfortunate statement.”
