JUST IN: Ondo youths storm INEC headquarters, demand redeployment of REC

Members of the Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, this morning, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State.

The youths who were in their hundreds were led by the convener, Comrade Ayo Adeyemi.

They carried several placards with inscriptions like “INEC, let Ondo be the example of transparent elections,” We don’t want Edo fiasco in Ondo,” “INEC, it’s time to ensure fairness, redeploy Babalola,” among others.

Addressing journalists in front of the INEC headquarters, Comrade Adeyemi said:

“Our call this morning is to ensure that the processes leading to the scheduled Saturday, November 16, 2024, Governorship Election in Ondo state is not only transparent and credible, but must be coordinated by persons whose views and opinions are consistent and not biased.

“From our findings, Mrs Babalola is from Ondo state and there are growing concerns over her impartiality and potential bias in the forthcoming election.

“It has also been established that Mrs Babalola’s alleged fraternity with the ruling party in Ondo state is an impediment and a threat to democracy and other political parties in the election.

“In light of the above and for the purpose of credibility and transparency, we, therefore, wish to reiterate our demand for the immediate redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as INEC REC in Ondo State.

“We believe in the importance of dialogue and cooperation, and we wish that INEC will take steps to rekindle the trust of the people of Ondo State by addressing this matter before the November 2024 Governorship Election.”