The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a request from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to redeploy the Ondo
State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, spokesperson for INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated on Monday that there was no justification for redeploying Mrs Babalola, as there is no evidence of any unethical conduct against her.
The PDP had written to INEC, raising concerns about Mrs Babalola's suitability for overseeing the upcoming election, arguing that her long-term residency in Ondo State compromises her impartiality.
Despite not being an indigene of the state by birth, the party pointed out that she has lived in Ondo for over three decades and currently resides in her family home in Akure.
The PDP's letter stated, "Even if she is not of Ondo origin by birth, anyone who has lived in a place for 10 years qualifies as an indigene under the Nigerian Constitution. INEC's failure to conduct a thorough check before deploying her raises questions about her integrity and the commission's preparedness to avoid controversies in the Ondo election."
In response, INEC reiterated that its policy forbids deploying a REC to their state of origin, and there was no wrongdoing on Mrs Babalola's part to warrant her redeployment.
"The commission posts and redeploys RECs based on established policy," Oyekanmi said, adding that, "The conditions for removing a REC are also clearly outlined in law. So far, no one has provided genuine, incontrovertible evidence of unethical conduct against Mrs Babalola."
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He added that INEC is determined to conduct a credible election in Ondo State and urged all political parties to support the process.
Despite INEC's firm stance, the PDP has vowed to continue pressing for Mrs Babalola's removal. Kennedy Peretei, PDP's spokesperson in Ondo State, expressed disappointment with INEC's defence of the REC, saying the party would remain vigilant in monitoring her conduct during the election.
"It is characteristic of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to defend INEC staff who
have fallen short of public expectations. However, with less than a month to the election, we will continue to bring attention to the REC's role in Ondo State, and we will not back down from our demand for her redeployment," Peretei said.
He added that the party would place Mrs Babalola under close watch as the election approaches, insisting that INEC's decision has raised concerns about the commission's commitment to ensuring a fair election in Ondo.
