The youths, who stormed the INEC office in Akure, on October 2, accused Babalola of ‘fraternizing’ with some politicians ahead of the governorship election in the state.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has asked the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to remove the current Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Some youths had demanded the immediate removal of Babalola as the INEC REC in the state ahead of the governorship election scheduled to hold on November 16, 2024.
The youths, who stormed the INEC office in Akure, on October 2, accused Babalola of ‘fraternizing’ with some politicians ahead of the governorship election in the state.
However, Makinde while speaking while kicking off the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Akure on Tuesday, noted that the commissioner is from Ondo State.
He explained that the change is necessary to enable transparency in the forthcoming election.
He vowed that what happened in Edo State will not be allowed to happen in Ondo, referring to allegations by the party that INEC connived with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the election.
Makinde said, "This message is for the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, you just remove the current Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. She is from Ondo State.”
"What you did in Edo will not be allowed in Ondo, we will protest until she is removed. Bring another REC that will be fair and allow a level playing field," he added.
The PDP on Tuesday kicked off the governorship campaign of its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State.
The embattled acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Illiya Damagun, led the PDP NWC members and other chieftains, including governors elected on the platform of the party, to Akure on Tuesday.
The PDP said its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, was poised to leverage the momentum to connect with voters and amplify the party’s message to the people of the state.
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has called out INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for the replacement of the current Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, who is also a native of Ondo State, for transparency in the forthcoming… pic.twitter.com/eAoyFXwv1s
— Oyo Affairs (@Oyoaffairs) October 15, 2024