The Independent National Electoral Commission has turned down a request from the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo state, which sought the redeployment of the resident electoral commissioner for Ondo, Toyin Babalola, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16.
INEC recently dismissed an accusation by the governor of Oyo, Seyi Makinde, who claimed that Babalola was an indigene of Ondo.
In response, the PDP, in a letter addressed to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, argued that even if Babalola is not originally from Ondo, she has resided in the state for over 30 years, making her unsuitable for the role of electoral umpire in the upcoming election.
“A diligent check on the background of the REC would have revealed to you that, not only did she grow up in Ondo State, but that she currently also lives in her parents’ house which is No. 3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area, Akure town, the state capital,” the letter read.
It added, “Even if she were not of Ondo state origin by birth, the constitution of Nigeria makes it quite clear, that anyone who has lived in a particular place for 10 years, statutorily qualifies for recognition as an indigene.
“Chairman Sir, it is obvious that your office did not do a diligent check before issuing that unfortunate statement.
“That unfortunate omission on your part sadly gives the impression that INEC cares less, should the issue of the REC’s residency status and dubious integrity result in avoidable controversies and/or crises, that may fall out from any unwitting act of replicating in the upcoming Ondo State election, the controversial APC template so ignominiously used in the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, the dust from which is yet to settle.”
TheCable reported that in response to the letter, the spokesperson for the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that the commission would not redeploy the REC, citing the absence of evidence indicating any unethical conduct.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) posts and redeploys resident electoral commissioners (RECs) based on an established policy,” he said.
“In the same manner, the conditions for relieving a REC of his or her duty are also in the extant laws.
“So far, nobody has come up with any genuine, incontrovertible evidence of criminal or unethical activity against the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ondo state.
“The REC will not be redeployed. The commission is determined to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Ondo state and we appeal to all contesting political parties to cooperate with us.”