A group, the Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday to demand the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
In the petition titled “Urgent Demand for the Immediate Redeployment of Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola,” which was read to journalists by Comrade Ayo Adeyemi, the forum alleged her fraternity with the ruling All Progressives Congress, which it noted was inimical to free and credible elections.
The petition, addressed to INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, urged him to ensure the redeployment of the Ondo REC ahead of next month’s election.
The petition reads in part: “We, the members of the Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, would like to call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to heed wise counsel by redeploying the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
“Our call this morning is to ensure that the processes leading to the scheduled Saturday, November 16, 2024, Governorship Election in Ondo State are not only transparent and credible, but must also be coordinated by individuals whose views and opinions are consistent and impartial.
From our findings, Mrs. Babalola is from Ondo State, and there are growing concerns regarding her impartiality and potential bias in the forthcoming election.
“It has also been established that Mrs. Babalola’s alleged fraternity with the ruling party in Ondo State is an impediment and a threat to democracy and other political parties in the election.
In light of the above, and for the sake of credibility and transparency, we therefore wish to reiterate our demand for the immediate redeployment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola as INEC REC in Ondo State.
“We believe in the importance of dialogue and cooperation, and we hope that INEC will take steps to rekindle the trust of the people of Ondo State by addressing this matter before the November 2024 Governorship Election.”
INEC National Commissioner Major General Modibbo Alkali, who received the petition in the company of his colleague, Mohammed Haruna, assured the group that the electoral umpire would look into their request.
He said: “I want to appreciate you all for coming to the INEC headquarters. We are happy that you organized yourselves; it means that you are disciplined. We abandoned a meeting of the Commission to come and receive you on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission.
“We want to commend the manner in which you have conducted yourselves in presenting your complaint. I want to assure you that INEC does not waver. We have listened to you. INEC isn’t a political party and has no candidate. We are here for the country, and we operate based on rules and regulations. We are a child of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let me restate the mission of INEC: it is to serve as an independent election management body and to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in support of democracy.
“We promise you that we won’t fail you. We have received and acknowledged your letter. In the interest of this country, please conduct yourselves peacefully wherever you go, because peace is, in fact, the foundation of success.
“From here, we are going back to the meeting, and we shall review your complaint.”
