…Remove Ondo REC Now, Makinde Tells INEC Chairman

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called for the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs.Oluwatoyin Babalola ahead of the November 16th governorship election in the state.

Makinde, who is also the  South-West Zonal eader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said her removal will pave the way for a free, fair, and credible governorship election in the state.

Addressing the crowd on yesterday in Akure, the state capital during the official flag-off ceremony of the 2024 Ondo state PDP governorship election campaign, the governor said the call for Babalola’s removal became necessary to safeguard the electoral integrity and fairness among the contestants.

While noting that the party will not allow the repeat of Edo State governorship election drama in Ondo, Makinde asked the INEC national chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, to deploy another REC that will be fair and allow a level playing field to the state.

According to Makinde, “This message is for the INEC national chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud. You must remove the REC in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola.

“She’s from Ondo State. What they did in Edo will not succeed in Ondo. We will protest until she’s removed. Bring another REC that will be fair, that will allow a level playing field. We as PDP aren’t afraid of any contest. Remove her or else, we will continue to protest.”

He, however, urged party supporters to go out from house to house, ward to ward over the next three weeks and win souls for PDP.

Corroborating Makinde, the governorship candidate of the party for the poll, Hon.Agboola Ajayi demanded that Babalola should be redeployed from the state on grounds that she allegedly could not be fair if allowed to conduct the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.

“Ondo REC must be redeployed. She was born here, her parents live here. She can never be fair in this election. We don’t want her in Ondo State.

Babalola must leave.” He also listed his 7-key agenda for the state to include infrastructure, agriculture, and health development amongst others.

“We will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies particularly Amotekun, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and Traditional Hunters through advanced training and provision of appropriate equipment. With the cooperative engagement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders implement community policing and neighborhood watch programs to improve public safety.

“Massively, we will produce food to immediately end hunger in the state by purchasing and distributing high-yield seeds, seedlings, and inputs to farmers. Increase and improve classrooms and other buildings for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions within the state. Free and compulsory education at the primary and junior secondary levels for all.

On health, Agboola said, his government  will provide a primary health center in each of the 203 wards in the state to be staffed by trained and dedicated medical personnel and provide essential drugs, hospital consumables, and laboratory services to patients at affordable costs.”