Newscenter Media News The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, sharply criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for demanding the redeployment of Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Makinde made the call during the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign flag-off in Akure, citing concerns over Babalola’s Ondo State origin.
APC Publicity Secretary Alex Kalejaiye swiftly responded, labeling Makinde’s remarks as “inappropriate” and emphasizing Babalola’s demonstrated “integrity, competence, and capacity” since taking office. Kalejaiye’s statement, titled ‘Ondo Not an Appendage of Oyo,’ cautioned Makinde to refrain from interfering in Ondo State’s political affairs.
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“The REC has shown integrity and competence since her appointment,” Kalejaiye stated. “It’s ludicrous that Governor Makinde would make such demands when he had no influence in her posting to Ondo. Ondo State and the electoral body are not appendages of his empire, where he presides as an administrator.”
The APC also dismissed Makinde’s warning against selling votes, describing it as “unsolicited advice” to the people of Ondo. “Ondo people are politically sophisticated and act based on conviction, not as cheaply as Mr. Makinde suggests,” the statement added.
In response to the APC’s criticism, PDP Publicity Secretary Kennedy Peretei defended Makinde, calling the APC’s reaction “pedestrian.” Peretei argued that as a major PDP stakeholder, Makinde has every right to raise concerns about the REC’s impartiality.
“The Ondo APC is once again displaying its usual pedestrian approach in reacting to Governor Makinde’s call for a free and fair election,” Peretei said.
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