A group of youths carrying flags of the Ondo State Youth Vanguard took to the streets of Akure to protest against the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
They demanded her immediate reassignment due to her involvement with politicians ahead of the upcoming November 16 gubernatorial election.
The demonstrators held placards with messages such as “Ondo REC must change,” “Our elections must count,” and “Ondo REC must go.” They called for Babalola’s removal, citing concerns about his impartiality and neutrality.
Protest leader Olawale Ijanusi expressed dissatisfaction with Babalola, claiming that he had been meeting behind closed doors with certain political leaders, raising doubts about his ability to oversee fair elections. .
Mr. Ijanusi further noted that Mr. Babalola is from Ondo State and has been residing in Ondo State for over 10 years with his parents who are active members of political parties.
According to him, “The Ondo State REC has been residing with her parents in Akure, the state capital, No. 3 Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka District, Akure State, for over 10 years prior to her appointment as the State REC; Be a member of the political party holding the card.
“The above facts in the public domain testify to the fact that Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola cannot and will never be a fair, impartial and uncompromising umpire as REC in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election. It is.”
“We have heard rumors that the REC Chairman, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, is involved with a particular political party. We do not know whether it is the APC, the PDP or the Labor Party, but I We would like to warn her and demand that she stop if this is true.
“Because if she is in the APC, PDP or Labor Party, there is no way the election can be free and fair. That is why we are demanding her removal for this election. There is.
“Our vote counts because Ondo is not Edo State. Our vote must count.”
The protesters stressed that INEC has the responsibility to maintain the confidence of voters and ensure a transparent and fair electoral process in the state.
They called on the commission to replace Babalola with a neutral and trustworthy person who can impartially oversee the gubernatorial election.
Reacting to the protests, the Executive Director of INEC in Ondo, Abiodun Amosun, commended the peaceful nature of the protests and assured that the concerns of the youths would be addressed.
He confirmed that the allegations against Mrs. Babalola would be handled at the electoral agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Mr. Amosun further added that “INEC, as umpire, will ensure free and fair elections in the state.Since she was appointed from Abuja, matters regarding the REC will be discussed at the headquarters.”
He also urged the protesters to closely monitor the electoral process, stressing that INEC would not tamper with the votes and encouraged the establishment of a situation control room to track the results of the polling unit.
