The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to stop spreading false information about the Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola.
INEC while warning Makinde to desist from falsehood clarified that Mrs Babalola is not from Ondo State.
The NEC expressed shock that Makinde can be using his exalted position to spread falsehood, calling on the Oyo State governor to stop making unverified claims regarding the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Toyin Babalola.
INEC in a statement issued on Wednesday on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle 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.”
The commission also recalled a similar incident in 2020, where Governor Makinde accused a senior INEC official of collaborating with a university Vice-Chancellor to undermine an election, an allegation that INEC confirmed was untrue.
The INEC’s statement was in response to claims amade by Makinde during a campaign rally held by PDP in Akure, Ondo State on Tuesday.
At the rally, Governor Makinde urged INEC’s Chairman to remove Mrs. Babalola, claiming she was from Ondo State, an assertion that contradicts INEC’s policy of not deploying Resident Electoral Commissioners to their state of origin.
INEC urged public figures, particularly those in high offices like Governor Makinde, to verify their claims before making public accusations.
The electoral body stressed that unfounded allegations could erode public trust in the electoral process and urged caution in such matters. (vitalnewsngr.com)
