A group, Ondo State Youth Vanguard, raised an alarm on Wednesday over the alleged connivance of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, with some politicians in the state ahead of the November 16 governorship in the state.
The youths who besieged the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akure, the state capital, demanded for the immediate removal of Babalola.
According to the protesters who were armed with the placards, another REC should be posted to the state, particularly since Babalola had allegedly been meeting with leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The spokesperson of the group, who is also the Akure South Coordinator of Vanguard for Democracy, Olawale Ijanusi, expressed fear that the election would not be free and fair if Babalola presided over the conduct of the polls.
The protesters, who equally submitted a petition addressed to the National Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that findings indicated that Babalola had been a resident of Akure for years.
The petition written by counsel to the protesting youths, Adeniyi Farinto, read: “We have the firm instructions of our clients to bring to your notice the activities of the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner and to implore you as a matter of urgency to immediately transfer Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner before the forthcoming Ondo State Gubernatorial Elections set to hold on the 16th day of November 2024.
“This demand became necessary and imperative in order to safeguard the electoral integrity, fairness, and level playing ground in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
“The compromised position of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola is further undermined by her activities and alliance with members of political parties within the state. This clearly is a conflict of interest that threatens to undermine the foundation of our democracy and imperil the trust of the people of Ondo State in the electoral process.
“This is not merely a request but also an imperative duty to safeguard the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission as the Commission responsible for protecting democracy and electoral processes carried out in the nation at large.”
While addressing the protesting youths, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Biodun Amosun, assured them that their votes would count, adding that the allegations against the REC would be handled at the national headquarters of the commission.
“We have heard your demands. The thing is being handled at the headquarters. It is not easy for INEC to do anything if you vote. Ensure you have a situation room where you collate results from the polling units,” he said.