Governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party(ZLP) for the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Dr. Abbas Mimiko, and a coalition of civil society organizations in Ondo State have expressed confidence in Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC), Dr.(Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Babalola to conduct the November 16 gubernatorial election.
Dr. Mimiko commended Mrs. Babalola for her dedication to the electoral process with transparency.
He said: “Mrs. Babalola has shown great diligence and commitment to her duties. We in the ZLP are not calling for her redeployment, as we have full confidence in her impartiality and the integrity of her work.”
A coalition of CSOs alleged those demanding the removal of the REC were intimidating her because she’s a woman.
Addressing journalists in Akure at the DOME on Thursday, two leaders of the coalition, Franklin Oloniju and Ajih Florence, wondered why the politicians continued to demand the removal of the REC, alleging that they were planning to disrupt the November 16 gubernatorial election.
The coalition warned politicians behind the demand not to cause chaos or disrupt the election.
The coalition states: “The civil society community in Ondo State is compelled to issue this press briefing in view of the happenings ahead of the Ondo State Governorship election 2024, today Wednesday, 7th November 2024.
“The civil society community in Ondo State is worried about the activities of some political actors and leaders in the State, which are heating up the polity and creating uncertainty ahead of the 2024 Governorship election.
“We are particularly worried about the ongoing mobilization against the person of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the State.
“It seems this mobilization is being orchestrated to preempt the outcome of the election, disrupt the peaceful political atmosphere in the State, and as a way of instigating election violence, either during or after.
“This became more worrisome especially when the call from these quarters has not ceased even when the electoral management body has swiftly responded to the removal call of the REC by Oyo State Governor through a clear and unambiguous press statement released specifically on Tuesday 15th October 2024.
“The State of origin of the REC has never been in doubt in the past. It is shameful that political actors intending to create chaos and tensions in Ondo State are attempting to use this negative and false narrative to achieve their devilish intentions.
“The CSOs in Ondo State stand firmly against any attempts to intimidate the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC because of her gender.
“These same political parties participated in the Edo State Governorship election and never questioned or campaigned against a REC that was accused of being a member of a political party and a brother of a well-known politician in the country. But has now found their voice because the REC in Ondo is a woman.
“We would like to state categorically that we will resist any gender-based violence and intimidation in the State, as we have always done.
“We call on the Police to take extra measures to protect the woman REC and the entire State from the evil machinations of these unscrupulous elements.”
It would be recalled that Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) leaders, including Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, demanded the removal of the REC on grounds that she grew up in Akure, the capital of Ondo State and could not conduct a free, fair and credible election because she allegedly has friends among members of All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state.
