On Tuesday, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) issued a warning to the opposition to cease their targeting of state Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and sponsoring unwarranted protests ahead of significant elections. This advisory came on the heels of protests in Abuja led by Ondo State citizens who demanded the immediate redeployment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the state REC. The demonstrators, brandishing banners with messages such as “Mahmood: Redeploy Babalola now,” blocked the entrance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, insisting on a meeting with INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
The call for Babalola’s redeployment had been echoed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally, where he expressed concerns regarding her alleged affiliations with the APC. Makinde contended that Babalola’s strong local connections and ties could jeopardize the fairness of the electoral process. The leader of the demonstrators, Ayo Adeyemi of the Ondo Youth League, underscored that while they hold no personal animosity toward Babalola, they believed a different REC would ensure a more impartial and credible election in the state. They acknowledged her accomplishments yet maintained that her background might create perceived biases.
Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner Maj Gen Modibbo Alkali (retd) commended their organized approach and assured them that their requests would be taken into consideration. He emphasized INEC’s commitment to fairness and adherence to regulations, assuring that their grievances would be reviewed. Alkali’s remarks suggested that the commission takes such demands seriously in the interest of maintaining electoral integrity. Nevertheless, the APC expressed concern that these protests were possibly orchestrated to undermine Babalola, reflecting a worrying trend of pre-election pressure tactics aimed at electoral officials.
Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s National Publicity Director, condemned the protests as part of a disturbing cycle that was beginning to set a precedent in Nigerian politics. He drew parallels with similar tactics seen during the Edo State governorship election, where protests were staged against a REC based on personal connections rather than substantiated misconduct. Ibrahim argued that unless there is compelling evidence of wrongdoing on Babalola’s part, her impartiality should not be in question. He pointed out that public officials often face accusations from parties lacking confidence ahead of elections, calling for evidence-based claims rather than blanket demands for removal.
Echoing these sentiments, the Ondo State chapter of the APC vehemently criticized the protests, labelling them an affront to democracy and an attempt to manipulate the electoral process. Their official statement described the PDP’s demands as desperate and detrimental to the integrity of the upcoming governorship elections in Ondo State. They asserted that the electoral process is governed by laws, and protests urging a change in election officials threaten the very foundation of democratic governance. The APC called for INEC’s independence and urged the commission to resist capitulating to political pressures, emphasizing that allowing such demands would undermine the trust and credibility of the electoral system.
In conclusion, the APC’s strong stance against the calls for Babalola’s redeployment reflects an ongoing struggle in Nigerian politics, where the integrity of electoral processes is frequently challenged by partisan interests. Rather than addressing substantive issues, opposition parties seem to resort to protests that risk destabilizing the framework for free and fair elections. As the nation approaches critical governorship elections, the focus remains on maintaining transparency, credibility, and a commitment to the rule of law, ensuring that all stakeholders engage in the electoral process with respect for established protocols and procedures.
