A group of youths under the banner of Ondo State Youth Vanguard took to the streets of Akure, protesting against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
They called for her immediate redeployment, accusing her of engaging with politicians ahead of the upcoming November 16 gubernatorial election.
Carrying placards with messages like “Ondo REC must be changed,” “Our election must count,” and “Ondo REC must go,” the protesters demanded that Mrs. Babalola be replaced, citing concerns over her impartiality and neutrality.
Leading the protest, Olawale Ijanusi expressed their frustrations, claiming that Babalola had been holding private meetings with certain political leaders, which raised doubts about her ability to oversee a fair election.
Ijanusi further pointed out that Babalola is originally from Ondo State and has lived there for over a decade with her parents, who are active members of a political party.
According to him, “The Ondo State REC has been living in Akure the state Capital at No.3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka area, Akure with her parents for more than ten years before her appointment as the State REC and her parents are known to be card-carrying members of a political party.
“The above facts which are in the public domain are an attestation to the fact that Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola will not and can never be fair, unbiased, and an uncompromised umpire in the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship Election as the REC.
“We have been hearing rumours that the REC Chairman, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, has been engaging with certain political parties. We do not know whether it is the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, but we want to caution her and demand that, if true, she should stop.
“Because if she is affiliated with the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, there is no way the election will be free and fair. That is why we are demanding her replacement for the sake of this election.
“Our vote must count because Ondo is not Edo State. Our vote must count.”
The protesters stressed that INEC has a responsibility to maintain the trust of voters and ensure a transparent and unbiased electoral process in the state.
They called on the Commission to replace Babalola with a neutral and credible individual who can oversee the governorship election fairly.
In response to the protest, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Ondo, Abiodun Amosun, praised the peaceful nature of the protest and assured the youths that their concerns would be addressed.
He confirmed that the allegations against Mrs. Babalola would be handled by the national headquarters of the electoral body in Abuja.
Amosun added, “INEC, as the umpire, would ensure a free and fair election in the state. The issue concerning the REC will be discussed at the headquarters, as she was appointed from Abuja.”
He also urged the protesters to monitor the election process closely, emphasizing that INEC would not tamper with their votes and encouraged the establishment of situation rooms to track results from polling units.
