The Ondo state chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has passed a vote of confidence in the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
IPAC declared its support for the Babalola on Wednesday in Akure, the state capital, at a press conference addressed by its state chairman, Adesanyan Olaoluwa.
Groups and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been calling for the redeployment of REC ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.
Adesanya said the state chapter of IPAC had carried out its comprehensive findings on the issues raised against Babalola.
While rejecting the calls for her removal, he stated that the REC had carried IPAC along in all the commission’s activities as regard the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The IPAC chairman noted that the alleged connivance of Babalola with any political party to subvert the poll was false and could not be substantiated whatsoever.
Adesanya said: “IPAC Ondo State has absolute confidence in the ability of the state resident electoral commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola to conduct free, fair and credible election in the forthcoming November 16th 2024 governorship election in Ondo State.
“IPAC Ondo State Chapter hereby call on security agents to monitor and call for arrest hired political thugs that may disrupt peace, before, during and after the governorship election in Ondo State.
“IPAC Ondo State chapter, the umbrella of all political parties hereby unanimously passed votes of confidence on the INEC Ondo State Resident electoral Commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola to carry out her statutory obligations concerning the forthcoming November 16th 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State.”