The governorship candidate of the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, has expressed concern over the integrity of the upcoming elections scheduled for Saturday.
In an interview with Punch on Sunday, Ajayi alleged partisanship due to his association with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and expressed concern over the neutrality of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Ajayi claimed that he learned of his relationship with Babalola through a report from the organization that pointed to a series of meetings with Lucky Aiyetiwada, the Ondo State governor and APC’s main rival.
"The government has enough resources and ways to collect information. If they want to be honest, we know that what we’re saying is the truth,” Ajay said. felt that this woman can never be impartial because of her partisan nature. We know that she is an indigene of Ondo State. I don’t know how else they want us to prove it.”
He further said that the party had appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Babalola, citing that his relationship with APC could lead to impartiality, but INEC was yet to act on the request. No, he said.
He said, “She has to change. We will not be silent and the people of the state will not disrespect INEC if they are going to allow her to conduct elections. No. I would like to appeal to INEC not to allow a repeat of what happened in 1983.
“This cannot continue because there are already suspicions. To give this process more credibility, they should replace her with someone who is not from this area. If they are someone from outside this state If you bring in people, we have no problem with that, but we should allow them a level playing field.
“What a shameful example that a candidate wants to use the template that was used in Edo!” Everyone condemned the Edo State elections, but they wanted to use the Edo State template. INEC couldn't say, “No, you’re on your own.” We intend to hold free and fair elections. ” There are only a limited number of days left and we are here watching the process. ”
When asked what steps he had taken to curb possible collusion against the party, Ajayi remained mum.
The PDP candidate said only that his strategy was confidential and he was confident of victory.
“We have already won. Don’t worry. Isn’t the election on Saturday, November 16? Have you ever seen a sitting governor so panicky?” Ajayi asked.
Mr. Ajayi served as the deputy governor of Ondo from 2017 to 2021, serving alongside former governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Ajayi, who was once a member of the APC, had a falling out with Akeredolu and defected to the PDP.
