The South West chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown weight behind the call by Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The Zonal Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Sanya Atofarati disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, October 16.
The party zonal spokesman said the call became necessary to ensure the credibility of the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state.
The statement reads, ” Governor Makinde raised concerns about Mrs Babalola’s alleged alliance with some leaders of the APC in Ondo State, which could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
“The PDP has urged INEC to distance itself from any actions that could undermine democracy.
“The party believes that Mrs Babalola’s ties to the ruling APC make her unfit to oversee the upcoming election.
“The PDP is confident that the people of Ondo State are determined to vote for the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in the November election.
“Any attempt or attempts to manipulate the election through Mrs Babalola or other APC leaders will be met with strong resistance.
“The Southwest PDP remains resolute in their support for the redeployment call of Mrs Toyin Babalola, who is currently the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State because she cannot be trusted to superintend the November Governorship election due to her conspicuous ties with the ruling APC in the state.
“The people of Ondo State, especially the downtrodden, are particularly concerned about the upcoming election, and INEC has the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral processes.
“The people will not tolerate any act of manipulation through a known ally of the state Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other APC leaders.
“It is evident now that the people of Ondo State have resolved to vote for the PDP candidate, His Excellency, Agboola Ajayi, in the November election, and any attempt to impose a known manipulator through INEC will be strongly resisted.”