Kehinde Fajobi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo governorship election, Ajayi Agboola, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the exercise.
Speaking after casting his vote at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiriboin, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Agboola alleged that the election process was deliberately flawed to rig the outcome.
“The system is not perfect, things are not working,” he said. “It took them more than 10 minutes to capture me, the PDP candidate, here. All of us are here. You can see the drama. There are a lot of complaints here and there.”
The former deputy governor expressed concern over INEC’s inability to conduct a seamless election in one state, warning that such inefficiency could lead to chaos.
“If INEC cannot successfully organise an election in one state, then you must know that we are running into anarchy,” he stated.
Agboola also accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, of bias.
He said, “I think it’s deliberate on the part of INEC and the part of the REC. We have said severally that we don’t trust Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola. That this woman cannot be fair.”
He also lamented reports of vote-buying and malfunctioning BVAS machines, describing the election as a “shameful exercise.”
“The system is compromised, and I have had a series of calls today. People are complaining about vote buying and the BVAS is not working. It is a very shameful exercise,” Agboola said.
Calling for INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu to step down, he remarked, “I think Nigerians should just call on the chairman of the electoral commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
“If you cannot do the job, please just honourably resign. He should resign. This is embarrassing. It [election] is totally compromised.”