Ondo Guber: Youths protest, call for redeployment of INEC REC, Babalola
Tamarauemi Ebimini
Youths under the auspices of Ondo State Youth Vanguard, in Ondo state, have protested against the alleged hobnobbing of the state INEC REC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, with politicians in the state and called for her redeployment ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
The protesting youths, who stormed the commission’s office in Akure, the state capital, were armed with placards of various inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions which read “Ondo REC must be changed”, “Our election must count”, “Ondo is not Edo”, Ondo REC must go” among others called for the removal of the REC.
The leader of the group, Olawale Ijanusi, said that the peaceful protest became necessary to register their grievances over the activities of the REC.
Ijanusi alleged that Babalola has been holding private meetings with leaders of some political parties.
According to him, a discreet investigation conducted by the group on Babalola has been holding nocturnal meetings with some political.
“This raises serious concerns among the citizens, voters, and stakeholders in Ondo state of the impartiality and neutrality of the INEC
Ijanusi who said that Babalola is from Ondo state, added that she had been living with her parents for more than ten years before she was appointed as the Ondo REC while her parents are card-carrying members of a political party.
According to him “The Ondo State REC has been living in Akure the state Capital at No.3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka area, Akure with her parents for more than ten years before her appointment as the State REC and her parents are known to be card-carrying members of a political party.
“The above facts which are in the public domain are an attestation to the fact that Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola will not and can never be fair, unbiased, and an uncompromised umpire in the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship Election as the REC.
“We have been hearing rumours that the REC Chairman, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, has been engaging with certain political parties. We do not know whether it is the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, but we want to caution her and demand that, if true, she should stop.
“Because if she is affiliated with the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, there is no way the election will be free and fair. That is why we are demanding her replacement for the sake of this election.
“Our vote must count because Ondo is not Edo State. Our vote must count,”
The youths who demanded the immediate removal of the Ondo REC said ” This demand became necessary and imperative to safeguard the electoral Integrity and fairness and level playing ground in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Ondo State.
“It is our firm belief that your Commission has the sacred duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of the Electoral process and maintain public trust in the forthcoming Election in Ondo State
“We hereby urge you to use your good offices to immediately transfer Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola out of Ondo State and to be given another role within your Commission and appoint a neutral, unbiased, and credible individual as the REC of Ondo State to superintend the forthcoming governorship election.
“This is not merely a request, but also an imperative duty to safeguard the integrity of the INEC as the Commission responsible for protecting democracy and electoral processes carried out in the nation at large”
But while addressing the protesting youths, the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Abiodun Amosun, lauded the peaceful manner the youths expressed their grievances.
Amosun who assured the protesters that every vote would count during the election, said that “INEC, as the umpire, would ensure a free and fair election in the state.
Speaking on the allegations against the REC, Amosun, said the allegations against the REC would be handled at the National headquarters of the electoral body.
