JUST IN: Protesters storm INEC office over demand for Ondo REC redeployment

Scores of demonstrators from Ondo State descended on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday, calling for the immediate redeployment of Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.

Waving banners and placards with messages like “Mahmood: Redeploy Babalola Now” and “We Don’t Want a Repeat of Edo Fiasco,” the protesters blocked the entrance to INEC’s national secretariat, seeking a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to express their concerns.

The protest follows a similar request made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who raised alarms about Babalola’s alleged connections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a Peoples Democratic Party campaign rally in Akure.

Makinde argued that Babalola’s background could compromise the neutrality of the electoral process.

Ayo Adeyemi, the leader of the demonstrators and Convener of the Ondo Youth League, supported the governor’s position, stating that while they had no personal grievances against the REC, they could not risk potential bias in the upcoming elections.

Adeyemi stated, “Redeploying Babalola is in the best interest of our people and INEC to ensure a free and credible election.”

He added, “We urgently demand that INEC redeploy Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, from the state. We respect her accomplishments, especially as a woman who has risen to such a prominent position. But for a free and fair election in Ondo, we can’t have Babalola overseeing the process. She grew up here, knows nearly everyone in the public sector, and is highly familiar with the state.
Babalola hasn’t done anything wrong; we simply want her reassigned to another state to avoid any possible conflict of interest.”

“We’re not here to criticise INEC’s operations; we just want an unbiased REC to oversee the upcoming governorship election.”

Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), commended them for their orderly conduct.

Alkali assured them that the commission would consider their concerns regarding Babalola’s position.

“We appreciate seeing you come here well-organised. INEC operates impartially, without alignment to any political party or candidate. We function under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he

said. “We’ve received your letter, and INEC will consider it thoroughly. Rest assured, your concerns will be analysed and addressed by the commission chairman.”

(Punch)