Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Osun State has rejected the appointment of Prof Kayode Adebowale, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan as the returning officer for the July 16 governorship election in the state.
The party alleged that Adebowale is affliated with the ruling All Progressive Congress.
According to Niyi Owolade, the Chairman, Legal Committee of Senator Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Adebowale was an APC appointee under the John Oyegun-led Council.
He also alleged that the UI Vice Chancellor has been “part of Ekiti APC campaign on more than five occasions”.
The Party urged INEC to appoint a new neutral returning Officer for Osun poll.
Owolade said;
“It would therefore be unfair to the mantra of free and fair election for such a figure with close affinity to the APC to be appointed State Returning Officer for the July 16 elections,” he said.
“Prof Adebowale is not just an appointee of Oyegun led Council, he is clearly a member of the inner circle of APC going by his recent activities.
“It is particularly troubling that the Vice Chancellor was part of Ekiti APC campaign on more than five occasions. He was specifically very close to the family of the Ekiti Governor-elect before and during the campaigns.
“We therefore call on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mamhood Yakubu to urgently withdraw the appointment of Prof Adebowale and appoint a new neutral Returning Officer for Osun poll.
“We warn that we will not allow an APC sympathiser to superintend over the Osun election as was the case in 2018.”
Reacting to the claims, the APC Chairman in Osun State, Gboyega Famoodun, described the allegations against the returning officer as baseless.
