Youths in Ondo State, under the aegis of Ondo State Youth Vanguard, have called for removal of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the state’s 2024 governorship election coming up on November 16.
Gatekeepers News reports that the youths stormed the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure, the state capital.
They noted that they don’t trust REC anymore to execute a seamless election due to her alleged connivance with some politicians and political parties ahead of the poll, especially Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group, led by its spokesperson, the Akure South Coordinator of Vanguard for Democracy, Olawale Ijanusi, demanded that an unbiased REC be appointed for a smooth poll to be conducted.
The youths, who also submitted a petition written by their counsel, Adeniyi Farinto, to the National Chairman of the commission, Prof.Mahmood Yakubu, alleged that Babalola had an affiliation with politicians, especially the APC fold, adding that she had been a resident of Akure for years.
Administrative Secretary of INEC, Biodun Amosun, who received the protesters, assured them that their votes would count, adding that the allegations against REC would be handled at national headquarters of the electoral body.
She said, “We have heard your demands. The thing is being handled at the headquarters.”
In addition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter has expressed despair over lack of concern allegedly being displayed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa towards insecurity situation recorded in many parts of the state.
The party alleged that the Governor had turned a blind eye to the situation with no tactful plan to tackle it.
Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei in a statement released, criticised the Governor’s claim that people of the state are “lucky” to have him as the Governor, noting that Aiyedatiwa’s claim contradicts the reality that residents of the state are facing.
