The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ondo State, on Wednesday called on the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu to ignore the call for the redeployment of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
On Tuesday, scores of demonstrators from Ondo stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, demanding the immediate redeployment of Babalola, from the state.
The protest came a week after the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, made a similar request, citing concerns over Babalola’s alleged links to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
However, speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Akure, the state Chairman of IPAC, Olaoluwa Adesanya pass a vote of confidence on the REC, noting that the alleged connivance of the state REC with any political party to subvert the coming November 16th 2024 governorship election is false and can not be substantiated whatsoever.
“IPAC Ondo State Chapter has carried out its comprehensive findings on the said matters and come out with the followings submissions: That IPAC equivocally stated that INEC Ondo State under the watch of the state resident electoral commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola has carried IPAC along in all the commission’s activities, as regard the forthcoming November 16th 2024 governorship election in Ondo State.
“That the alleged connivance of the state REC with any political party to subvert the coming November 16th 2024 governorship election is false and can not be substantiated whatsoever.”
He said IPAC have absolute confidence in the ability of Babalola to conduct free, fair and credible election in the forthcoming November 16th 2024governorship election in Ondo State and called on security agents to monitor and call for arrest hired political thugs that may disrupt peace, before, during and after the election.
“IPAC Ondo State chapter, the umbrella of all political parties hereby unanimously passed votes of confidence on the INEC Ondo State Resident electoral Commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola to carry out her statutory obligations concerning the forthcoming November 16th 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State.”
Fidelis David
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