The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the call of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state for the transfer of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Toyin Babalola, before the November 16 governorship election in the Sunshine state.
Makinde had on Tuesday asked the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, to redeploy the commissioner ahead of the governorship poll.
He made the call while addressing a crowd of party supporters
in Akure during the official flag-off ceremony of the 2024 Ondo state PDP governorship election campaign.
The Oyo state governor, who is also the PDP south-west leader, said the REC was an indigene of Ondo state and her removal would ensure a free, fair and credible election in the state.
Makinde asked Mahmoud to transfer to the state another REC that would be fair and allow a level playing field to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
But in a statement on Wednesday, Alex Kalejaye, the APC Publicity Secretary, warned Makinde to stay clear of Ondo state.
“The State chapter wishes to remind the governor that neither Ondo State nor the electoral body is an appendage of his empire, where he rules as an administrator,” Kalejaye said.
The APC publicity secretary noted that the REC had demonstrated integrity, competence and capacity to handle any election since she assumed office.
He said: “We find it extremely ludicrous that Makinde will give a directive in such a manner when he didn’t influence the transfer of Mrs Omobolanle to Ondo State, neither is he a player on the political space of the State.
“The State chapter also considered as insulting the unsolicited advice to our people not to sell their conscience. It is a popular fact that Ondo people are politically sophisticated entity that always act out of conviction; they are not as cheap as being branded by Mr. Makinde.
“The party wishes to inform the Oyo State Governor that Ondo APC has unbeatable structures across the State that are capable of defeating any party in any election. Besides, the recent defection of notable political giants from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further fortified the chances of APC in November.
“It is therefore clear that our party won’t need to indulge in those undemocratic gymnastics employed by the PDP to win Oyo for Makinde in 2019. Fear not, Mr. Governor.
“Our counsel to the governor is to focus on the myriad of problems currently facing Oyo State. Sadly, Oyo State is being run as a conquered territory, where the degree of capital flight is second to no other in the country.
“The party commends its members for their unwavering belief in the party, and urged them to exhibit maturity and decorum as they continue to solicit a renewal of the people’s mandate come November 16th.”