.…..As Ondo REC breaks silence on allegation of romancing politicians
Ahead of November 16, 2024 governorship election, Religious leaders in Ondo state have challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use all technologies and human capacity to conduct flawless poll in the state.
The Chairman of Leagues of Imams and Alfas in the state, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe who gave this charge during an interactive session with religious leaders and faith based group in the state organised by INEC.
Aladesawe who noted INEC readiness for the election urged the Commission to ensure stiffer punishment for anyone caught engaging in vote trading before, during and after the elections.
The nonagenarian stressed the need to sanitise the country’s electoral system to be devoid of malpractices, saying politicians must learn how to play the game by the rules to ensure growth of the nation’s democracy.
He identified poverty in the country responsible for vote buying and selling, blaming the menace on desperate politicians who are thirsty for power.
The Chief Imam of Owo, therefore, cautioned politicians not to do anything that will undermine free and fair election in the state, warning the youth “to vote according to your conscience. There is poverty in the land but shun vote buying and selling
“Politicians and youths should also abstain from hooliganism. We all know what is right and if we can do the right thing, there will not be room for controversy.
“Don’t tarnish your opponent image, canvass for vote through your blueprint programme and not through destruction. Vote trading should be discouraged outrightly”
The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Fr. Anslem Ologunwa, who was represented by Victor Adeola, said that INEC has been proactive but urged politicians to also educate their followers to ensure peaceful conduct of the election, saying election should not be a do or die affair.
Ologunwa harped on the need for INEC to ensure a peaceful election, urging the electoral body to be fair and transparent and ensure the votes of the electorates counts.
“We have to work towards peace in the land with the forthcoming election. We have been educating our followers. We want reassurance from INEC that it will be fair and transparent in the election.”
The Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the electoral body would continue to engage the electorates on the issue of vote buying, especially by shunning the act.
Babalola observed that vote trading had been a longstanding issue in the country, but said the issue is not in the purview of the commission to arrest the perpetrators,
She added that the Electoral body had been engaging political parties, civil society organizations (CSOs), and relevant security agencies in ensuring the menance of vote buy is nib in the bud.
“Our goal is to change the orientation of the electorate through education and engagement. INEC does not participate in vote-buying or selling, and we strongly encourage the political class not to tempt voters with such inducements.
“We are actively working with security agencies. INEC has an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), where agencies like the ICPC and EFCC are vital members.
“These agencies are fully involved in our discussions and have informed us of the measures they are putting in place to curb vote-buying.
“Both the ICPC and EFCC are on the ground and ready to play their role in reducing the spread of vote-buying during the elections. We are confident in their capacity to do their best in tackling this issue,” Mrs Babalola added.
2024 GUBER POLL: I’M NOT FRATERNIZING WITH ANY POLITICIAN —Ondo REC tells protesters
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, has dismissed an alleged association with politicians ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
This came after some youths stormed office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure, the state capital, to demand his removal.
The youths who wielded placards with different inscriptions also accused the REC of ‘fraternizing’ with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 poll.
But reacting to the allegation, Babalola said she is not a card-carrying member of any political party .
She explained that she had not been holding any secret meeting with any politician in the state ahead of the poll, saying she remained unbiased.
While describing the allegation against her as baseless, Babalola said she had been operating an open door policy since her appointment as REC.
“It is not true, I didn’t hold any clandestine meeting with the governor (Aiyedatiwa) or any member of any political party.”
“In INEC, we relate with all political parties, and I have also been operating open door policies to all, and I don’t have any preferred candidate for the election as they claimed.
“I am not a member of any political party. So, in this election, INEC will ensure every vote counts, and I promise there won’t be any room for bias. This coming election will be free, fair, and credible,” she said on a telephone interview.
