The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Ondo State.
This appeal was made by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who also serves as the leader of the PDP in the South-West, during the official flag-off of the party’s governorship campaign on Tuesday in Akure.
Governor Makinde also urged INEC to replace its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, expressing doubts about her ability to deliver an impartial election. “The current REC is from Ondo State, we don’t want her to conduct this election; otherwise, we will continue to protest. We will not condole injustice,” he stated.
The PDP leader insisted that the call for Ms. Babalola’s removal is essential to safeguard electoral integrity and ensure a fair playing field for all political parties in the upcoming November 16 election. He cited concerns from previous elections, saying, “The last governorship election in Edo State was a fraud, and we don’t want that in Ondo State.”
Echoing similar concerns, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who also serves as the chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Ondo, reaffirmed his confidence in the party’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi. “Our candidate is a tested hand,” he said, urging voters to rally behind Ajayi for a better future in Ondo State.
The PDP national chairman, Umar Damagun, also weighed in, criticizing the conduct of the last Edo State governorship election, where he claimed the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the legitimate winner. “The election in Edo did not meet necessary democratic standards. We don’t want what happened in Edo State in Ondo State. We want a free, fair, and credible election in Ondo State,” Mr. Damagun emphasized.
Agboola Ajayi, the PDP governorship candidate, outlined his seven-point agenda, promising that it would bring transformative change to the people of Ondo if he were elected. He too reiterated the party’s position regarding the REC, stating, “We don’t have confidence in her conduct of a free, fair, and credible election.”
