Ondo gov’ship: Youths protest at INEC office, demand REC’s removal

• We’ll probe allegations – Electoral body

Scores of youths have demanded the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola. 

The youths, who stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday in Akure accused Mrs Babalola of ‘fraternising’ with some politicians ahead of the governorship election in the state. 

INEC had announced November 16, 2024, for the  governorship election in the state. Seventeen political parties have fielded candidates for the election.

Wielding protest cards with different inscriptions, the aggrieved youths said the continued stay of Mrs Babalola in office as chief electoral officer of the state could undermine the process of the election. 

Ijanusi Olawale, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, alleged that Babalola had compromised by “romancing” members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. 

Olawale, who accused the Ondo REC of being a card-carrying member of the APC, said Mrs Babalola must leave the commission to allow a free and fair electoral process.

He asked the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to transfer the REC outside the state and appoint a “Neutral and unbiased chief electoral officer” for the election. 

“The compromised position of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola is further undermined by her activities and alliance with members of political parties within the state, and this clearly is a conflict of interest.

“The interest threatens to undermine the foundation of our democracy and imperil the trust of the people of the state in the electoral process. So, we are here demanding that she must go. Let her leave this state and go somewhere else. We can’t trust any process under her.”

Efforts to get Babalola to respond to the allegations proved abortive as her phone number was switched off. 

But the administrative secretary of the commission in the state, Biodun Amosun, told our correspondent in a telephone chat that the allegations raised by the protesters would be looked into.  

“Let us assure you that the issue will be handled by the INEC chairman. The chairman will look into the demands and allegations. 

We will look at the various issues.,” he said.