Civil society group knocks PDP for calling for REC’s removal
A coalition of civil society organisations in Ondo State has knocked the People’s Democratic Party and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for calling for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Babalola Oluwatoyin.
It said it was shameful that political actors intending to create chaos and tensions in the state were “attempting to use this negative and false narrative to achieve their devilish intentions”.
Speaking at a press briefing in Akure, the Chairman of the coalition, Franklin Oloniju, said they were worried about the activities of some political actors heating up the polity and creating uncertainty ahead of next week’s election. He said the coalition would stand firmly against any attempts to intimidate the Ondo REC because of her gender.
He said: “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 pre-empt 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.Related News
“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 an Oyo State Governor through an unambiguous press statement.
“The State of Origin of the REC has never been in doubt in the past. 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.”
