INEC cautions Makinde ahead of Ondo Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning to Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, advising him against making serial and unfounded allegations during the electioneering process.
INEC emphasized the importance of maintaining a fair and credible electoral environment, urging all political leaders to engage in responsible discourse.
Governor Seyi Makinde
INEC, in a message posted on its X handle, stated that it has taken note of an allegation made by Governor Makinde during a campaign rally for his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Akure on Tuesday.
During this rally, Governor Makinde called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, claiming that her position should be reconsidered simply because “she is from Ondo State.”
INEC responded to this assertion by underscoring the importance of basing such claims on factual evidence rather than unfounded assumptions, reiterating its commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
According to the electoral umpire, Gov. Makinde had made a similar allegation in 2020 ahead of the last Governorship Election in the state.
The statement reads; “Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde at his party’s campaign rally held today in Akure in which he called on the INEC Chairman to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, because ‘she is from Ondo State’.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State in line with the Commission’s policy not to deploy a REC to his or her State of origin. In 2020, ahead of the last Governorship election in the same State, he accused a senior official of the Commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election. The allegation was untrue.
“We appeal to holders of high public office such as Governor Makinde to verify their information before making these serial, unfounded allegations”.
