The Inter-Party Advisory Council in Ondo State has unanimously endorsed Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola to oversee the November 16 governorship election.
This decision comes amidst controversy sparked by the Peoples Democratic Party and some youth groups demanding Babalola’s redeployment.
The PDP had alleged that Babalola was fraternizing with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress questioning her integrity.
While addressing journalists on Wednesday in Akure, the IPAC state chairman, Olaoluwa Adesanya, said the alleged connivance of Mrs Babalola with any political party to subvert the upcoming November 16 election was untrue and could not be substantiated, according to Peoples Gazette.
IPAC expressed absolute confidence in Babalola’s ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election. The council called on security agents to monitor and arrest hired thugs that may disrupt peace during the election.
In response, the Ondo State APC leadership urged the national INEC leadership not to succumb to pressure to redeploy Babalola. The party described the PDP’s demands as desperate and bitter, contravening constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act 2022.
The controversy surrounding Babalola’s tenure has sparked debate on the impartiality of electoral officials. The outcome of the November 16 election will be closely watched, as stakeholders seek a credible and peaceful process.
“IPAC Ondo State has absolute confidence in the ability of the state resident electoral commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola to conduct free, fair, and credible election in the forthcoming November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State,” he said.
“IPAC Ondo State Chapter hereby calls on security agents to monitor and call for arrest hired political thugs that may disrupt peace, before, during, and after the governorship election in Ondo State. IPAC Ondo State chapter, the umbrella of all political parties hereby unanimously passed votes of confidence in the INEC Ondo State Resident electoral Commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola to carry out her statutory duties on the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo Adesanya added.
