Ondo 2024: Youth group urges INEC to redeploy REC
A youth group has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the Nov.16 governorship election.
The group, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, under the umbrella of Ondo Youth League, made the call during a protest at INEC headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.
The leader of the group, Ayodeji Adeyemi, urged the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy Babalola from state in view of the growing concerns over her alleged affiliation and connection with the state.
Adeyemi said that from the group’s findings, Babalola is from Ondo, and that she had connections with some politicians in the state, hence the growing concerns over her impartiality and potential bias during the election.
He said that, as a group, they did not have anything against Babalola. Rather, they celebrated her achievements in the public sector, having risen through the ranks to become a REC.
Aderemi, however, said that for a person that lived the better part of her life in the state, there were fears that Babalola could not be seen not to favour certain persons, either in the public or private sector.
“She has not done anything wrong. Please, don’t misunderstand our reason for coming here today. We are not here to quarrel with INEC. We are not here to teach INEC how to do their job.
“We are not here to tarnish the reputation and image of a woman that has dedicated all her life to public service.
“What we are here to do today is to register our voices as the people of Ondo State.
“That a woman who grew up in our place, drank our water, ate the food from our farms, knows all the localities should not be the one in charge of an election, if we want it to be considered as free, fair, transparent and unbiased,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the inscriptions on the placards displayed by the protesters included: “INEC, it is time to ensure fairness’’ and “Redeploy Babalola.’’
Others were: “A credible election can mark a new chapter for INEC in Nigeria’s democratic journey’’ and “INEC chairman, do the right thing for Ondo people.
Addressing the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Retired Maj.-Gen. Modibo Alkali, commended the youths for maintaining orderliness.
Alkali, who said that the commission was in a meeting as at the time of the protest, promised that their complaints would be looked into.
“I want to assure you that INEC doesn’t waver in whatever we do. We have listened to you, and we listen to everybody.
“INEC has no political party. INEC has no candidate. We are here for the country. We operate based on rules and regulations.
“We are a child of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, let me restate that the mission of INEC is to serve as an independent and effective election management body committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in support of democracy.
“So, we do not waver. We are for that. We promise you that we will never fail you,’’ Allkali said.
NAN reports that in company with Alkali to address the protesters was another National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna.(NAN)