The Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State and candidate of the Zenith Labour Occasion, Mr Abass Mimiko, on Thursday, rejected the decision for the removing of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, forward of the November 16 governorship election.
The management of the Peoples Democratic Occasion has been calling on the Chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy Babalola, saying the get together had no confidence in her management to conduct the forthcoming ballot.
The opposition alleged that Babalola was born and bred in Ondo State and had been hobnobbing with the leaders of the APC because it expressed the worry that the election won’t be free and honest below Babalola’s watch.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital, the Chairman of all CSOs in Ondo State, Mr Frank Olonite, described the mobilisation in opposition to the REC as an try and disrupt the preparation for the election.
He stated, “The civil society group in Ondo State is nervous concerning the actions of some political actors and leaders within the state, that are heating the polity and creating uncertainty forward of the 2024 governorship election.
“We’re significantly nervous concerning the ongoing mobilisation in opposition to the particular person of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC within the state.
“It appears this mobilisation is being orchestrated to pre-empt the end result of the election, disrupt the peaceable political ambiance within the state, and as a means of instigating election violence, both throughout or after.
“This grew to become extra worrisome particularly when the decision from these quarters has not ceased even when the electoral administration physique has swiftly responded to the removing name of the REC by Oyo State Governor via a transparent and unambiguous press assertion launched particularly on Tuesday fifteenth October 2024.”
Olonite argued that the state of origin of the REC had by no means been doubtful prior to now, saying, “It’s shameful that political actors aspiring to create chaos and rigidity in Ondo State are trying to make use of this unfavorable and false narrative to realize their devilish intentions.”
He maintained that each one the CSOs within the state stood firmly in opposition to any makes an attempt to intimidate the commissioner.
“These similar political events participated within the Edo State governorship election and by no means questioned or campaigned in opposition to a REC that was accused of being a member of a political get together and a brother of a widely known politician within the nation, however has now discovered their voices as a result of the REC in Ondo is a lady.
“We wish to state categorically that we are going to resist any gender-based violence and intimidation within the state, as we’ve got all the time carried out.
“We name on the police to take further measures to guard the girl REC and your entire state from the evil machinations of those unscrupulous parts,” the chairman burdened.
In the identical vein, the candidate of the ZLP, Mr Abass Mimiko recommended Mrs Babalola for doing her job to make sure the election is profitable.
“Mrs Babalola has proven nice diligence and dedication to her duties. We, within the ZLP, are usually not calling for her redeployment, as we’ve got full confidence in her impartiality and the integrity of her work.
“I’m assured that INEC will ship as anticipated. We consider they’re totally ready to make sure a clear, credible election that can actually replicate the need of the individuals.
“I urge all stakeholders to place confidence in INEC’s dedication to upholding democratic ideas,” Mimiko stated.