By John Ogunsemore
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tackled Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde over his claim on the state of origin of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo, Toyin Babalola.
Speaking at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign rally in Akure on Tuesday, Makinde claimed the Ondo REC is an Ondo indigene.
He called on the electoral umpire to remove Babalola over a potential conflict of interest.
Reacting in a statement, INEC said, “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.”
INEC said Makinde made a similar claim in 2020, ahead of the last governorship election in the same state by accusing a senior official of the commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election.
The commission said 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,” INEC added.