2024: INEC Reacts To PDP’s Call To Replace Ondo REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to the call by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the replacement of its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State.

The PDP had, through governor Sheyi Makinde of Oyo state, during it’s Ondo state governorship campaign flagoff held in Akure today, alleged that Mrs. Toyin Babalola, the INEC REC is from Ondo state. While also calling for her replacement.

However, in a statement released through it’s verified Facebook page on Tuesday evening. INEC said:

“Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde at his party’s campaign rally held today in Akure in which he called on the INEC Chairman to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, because “she is from Ondo State.””

It added that;

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State in line with the Commission’s policy not to deploy a REC to his or her State of origin. In 2020, ahead of the last Governorship election in the same State, he accused a senior official of the Commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election. The allegation was untrue.”

“We appeal to holders of high public office such as Governor Makinde to verify their information before making these serial, unfounded allegations.” The statement concluded.