APC warns opposition to avoid targeting Ondo REC amid protests, urging INEC to uphold fair elections and resist undue political influence.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to opposition parties, urging them to desist from targeting Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) or staging protests aimed at pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the eve of major elections.
This follows a protest at INEC’s Abuja headquarters, where demonstrators from Ondo State demanded the redeployment of the state’s REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, over alleged political affiliations.
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The protest, led by the Ondo Youth League, saw scores of participants brandishing placards with messages such as “Redeploy Babalola Now” and “No Repeat of Edo Fiasco.”
They gathered at the INEC headquarters, insisting that Babalola’s long-standing ties to Ondo State could compromise election neutrality.
Expressing their concerns, protest leader Ayo Adeyemi acknowledged Babalola’s accomplishments but emphasised the group’s stance that, given her background in Ondo, it was in the interest of a free and fair election to have her redeployed.
“We are proud of Mrs Babalola’s achievements,” said Adeyemi, “but to guarantee impartiality in the forthcoming election, we cannot afford to leave anything to chance. Our people simply want a REC who is neutral and has no personal ties to the state.”
Addressing the group, INEC National Commissioner Maj Gen Modibbo Alkali (retd) assured the demonstrators that their demands would be carefully considered.
Alkali highlighted that INEC operates independently of political influences and prioritises integrity in its decision-making process.
Meanwhile, the APC questioned the motivations behind the protests, suggesting they were intended to manipulate the election process.
In an interview, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim pointed out that similar demands were made in the lead-up to the Edo State elections, describing the protests as politically motivated.
“People in public offices, especially those overseeing elections, are often subjected to baseless accusations,” stated Ibrahim.
“Unless there is proof of wrongdoing, such demands should not influence INEC’s decision. No REC should be redeployed without a valid reason.”
Similarly, the Ondo State APC chapter condemned the protest, arguing that the opposition’s calls to remove Babalola were an attempt to undermine the upcoming governorship election on 16 November.
Steve Otaloro, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo, described the protest as a “desperate move” that overstepped constitutional bounds.
“The call to remove Mrs Babalola is both unconstitutional and deeply disrespectful to the integrity of the electoral process,” Otaloro said in a statement. “INEC must remain unwavering and impartial, upholding laws rather than bending to party pressures.”
The APC also cautioned INEC against making decisions under political pressure, maintaining that any compromises could tarnish the election’s credibility.
In their statement, the APC highlighted their confidence in Babalola’s impartiality, advising that INEC uphold its independence for the benefit of all parties and the nation’s electoral integrity.
