Oyo State Governor and South-West Zonal Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Seyi Makinde, has called for the immediate removal of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election on November 16. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appoint a new REC who will guarantee a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

Speaking at the PDP’s official governorship campaign launch in Akure, Makinde expressed concerns regarding Babalola’s impartiality due to her connections to Ondo State. He cited previous electoral controversies in Edo State and insisted that such issues must not recur in Ondo. “You must remove the REC in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. What they did in Edo will not succeed in Ondo,” he warned, addressing INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud.

Makinde vowed that the PDP would continue to protest if Babalola remains in her position, encouraging supporters to engage in grassroots campaigning for the party’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

Supporting Makinde’s stance, Ajayi echoed the demand for Babalola’s removal, questioning her ability to oversee a fair election due to her local ties. He presented a seven-point agenda focused on improving infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare in Ondo State.

Ajayi highlighted plans to enhance law enforcement, increase food production, improve educational infrastructure, and ensure accessible healthcare. He pledged to establish primary health centers in all 203 wards of the state, aiming to provide affordable healthcare services to residents.