Ondo Guber: Youths Take Protest to INEC Headquarters, Make Demand, Video Trends
- Aggrieved youths under the aegis of Ondo Youth League protested at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday
- They called for the immediate removal and redeployment of INEC REC Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola in Ondo state ahead of the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election
- The Tuesday protest followed concerns raised by the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, about Babalola’s alleged ties to the ruling APC
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Abuja, FCT—Hundreds of Ondo youths stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday morning, October 29, demanding the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in the state.
Comrade Ayo Adeyemi led the youths under the auspices of the Ondo Youth League, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections.
Source: Facebook
Ahead of the November 16 governorship election, the protesters waved banners and placards with messages such as “INEC, let Ondo be the example of transparent elections,” We don’t want Edo fiasco in Ondo,” “INEC, it’s time to ensure fairness, redeploy Babalola,” among others.
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The demonstrators reportedly blocked the entrance to the national secretariat, demanding a meeting with INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to voice their concerns.
The protest came a week after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State made a similar request, citing concerns over Babalola’s alleged links to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeyemi, the leader of the demonstrators and convener of the Ondo Youth League, told journalists that while they had no personal issues with the REC, they could not risk any potential bias in the upcoming election.
He said:
“We are from Ondo state. As a people, we do not hate her. We do not loathe her. In fact, we are proud of a woman who has risen from the background to such an elevated position of excellence, especially in the public sector. So we celebrate her.
“We are not here to teach INEC how to do their job. We are not here to try and tarnish the reputation and image of a woman who has dedicated all her life to public service.
“We took it upon ourselves to come out and register our voice in the interest of sanity in the democratic process of Ondo state.
“In the interest of democracy, for the peace-loving people of Ondo state, anybody who has lived their life in Ondo state, according to the law of our country, according to the law regulating INEC, such persons should not be allowed to oversee elections. "
INEC urged to address matter before election
The youths expressed worries about Babalola's alleged ties to the ruling party in Ondo state, which they deemed a threat to democracy and other political parties.
Adeyemi emphasised the need for transparent and credible election processes, coordinated by unbiased individuals.
“We believe in the importance of dialogue and cooperation, and we wish that INEC will take steps to rekindle the trust of the people of Ondo State by addressing this matter before the November 2024 Governorship Election," he said.
Ondo 2024: INEC reacts
Major General Modibbo Alkali (rtd), INEC's national commissioner, responded by assuring that the commission listens to all concerns and operates based on rules and regulations.
"INEC has no political party. INEC has no candidate. We are here for the country. We operate based on rules and regulations," Alkali stated.
PDP confirms protest at INEC HQ
The leadership of the PDP confirmed the development and shared a video on its X page.
PDP tweeted:
"Happening now: Ondo Youth League protesting at the @inecnigeria office in Maitama, Abuja for the removal of INEC REC in Ondo State ahead of the November 16, 2024 Guber Election."
Watch the video below:
Ondo guber: Ganduje announces APC’s plan
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC national chairman, expressed optimism that the ruling party will secure victory in the November 16 Ondo governorship election.
Ganduje also declared the party's intention to capture the southwest region by winning the Ondo state election.
According to Ganduje, Ondo poll victory will boost President Bola Tinubu's chances and support in the southwest region ahead of the 2027 election.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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