On Wednesday, a significant political dispute arose between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State’s request for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. During a campaign event for the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in Akure, Makinde voiced concerns about Babalola’s status as an indigene of Ondo State and suggested that her presence could compromise the upcoming November 16 elections. His comments ignited contrasting reactions from the two major political parties, with the APC condemning his intervention while the PDP expressed support for Makinde’s position.
The APC’s criticism, articulated by Ondo’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, emphasized that Babalola had consistently exhibited integrity and competence throughout her tenure. The APC accused Makinde of overstepping his bounds and attempting to meddle in Ondo politics, urging him to focus on his own state’s governance. Their statement, provocatively titled “Ondo not an appendage of Oyo,” underlined the sentiment that Makinde, not being a participant in Ondo’s political landscape, had no authority to demand changes regarding the electoral commissioner’s role.
In sharp contrast, the PDP defended Makinde’s remarks, categorizing the APC’s response as superficial. The Ondo PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, pointed out that Makinde played a vital role within the PDP and argued that his call for credible elections was reasonable. Peretei accused Babalola of engaging in undisclosed meetings with APC leaders, implying collusion that could threaten the fairness of the electoral process. This assertion served to bolster the PDP’s claim that Makinde’s concerns regarding the integrity of elections in Ondo were both valid and necessary.
Further insisting on the importance of a transparent electoral process, the Southwest chapter of the PDP voiced their solidarity with Makinde’s call for Babalola’s redeployment. Chief Sanya Atofarati, the PDP Southwest Publicity Secretary, asserted that his observations should be taken seriously by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His statement emphasized the necessity of ensuring a fair election amid allegations of Babalola’s affiliations with the ruling APC, thus raising questions about her impartiality in officiating the elections.
The PDP articulated a strong conviction that Babalola’s alleged connections to the APC rendered her unfit to oversee the electoral proceedings in Ondo State. It asserted that the people of Ondo would vigilantly safeguard their choice in the upcoming elections and would not tolerate any manipulation, be it from Babalola or others associated with the ruling party. The party contended that any attempts by the ruling powers to influence the electoral outcome through manipulative tactics would face significant opposition from the electorate.
In concluding their messaging, the PDP charged INEC with upholding the principles of transparency and accountability, recognizing their responsibility to facilitate a democratic and credible electoral process. The ongoing feud between the APC and PDP reflects broader tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly with the imminent elections spotlighting the significance of impartial state institutions. The contrasting perspectives on Babalola’s competence illustrate the heightened political stakes surrounding electoral integrity, as both parties gear up for the pivotal gubernatorial elections in Ondo State.
