The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of recruiting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to serve as returning officers in Saturday’s governorship election.
The opposition party made the accusation on Tuesday in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.
Peratei alleged that the APC state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, had presented a list of members of the ruling party to work as ad-hoc staff of the electoral commission during the election.
He said the APC members did not participate in the training conducted by the electoral umpire.
“The sinister plan by the Ade Adetimehin led All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 Governorship election has been revealed.
“The training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers by the Independent National Electoral Commission is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad-hoc staff to function in these capacities.
“Unfortunately, Ade Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons who are APC members per Polling Unit to INEC to serve as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, even when these persons did not attend the training.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, wishes to alert the public that the APC is banking on compromising the election at all costs, having failed tragically to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“The entire world is watching and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin’s backing in this evil.
“Our party wishes to admonish all actors to play according to the rules. The entire world is watching, and nobody can hide behind one finger,” Peratei said.
But in a swift reaction, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Alex Kalejaye, debunked the allegation.
Kalejaye said: “It is not true. We have no reason to contemplate compromising the election. We have worked very hard. We have worked for the people.
“We have campaigned across the 18 local government areas. We are prepared. We have appealed to the people and they have shown understanding and a willingness to support the party.
“Therefore, we have no reason to even consider compromising the election. It is simply not true. This is just one of those fabrications from the PDP.
“There is absolutely no reason to do that. Our strategy is to campaign. We are working with the people. We have engaged every segment of society.
“Tomorrow, we will hold our grand finale rally, gathering everyone together and we will send the same message of continuity. However, we will not go to the extent of doing anything unconstitutional just to win an election.
“We have done the work we set out to do and we are confident that the people are with us. There is no reason to take any improper action to secure a victory.”