The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the involvement of some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in Saturday’s governorship election.
Thegazellenews recalls that the PDP had protested severally, calling for the removal of Mrs Babalola Oluwatoyin as Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state before the poll.
Speaking at a press briefing in Akure, the state capital, Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, said INEC staff who are notorious for manipulating election should not be allowed to participate in the Ondo election.
He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of violating the peace accord signed last week by all political parties in the state, adding that an attack by thugs on its members in Idanre left seven persons injured.
According to him, a PDP member, Otunba Akinlemimu, who was seriously injured was still on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the State Specialists Hospital, Akure, while others were still receiving treatment after bullets were extracted from their bodies.
He added that the actions of members of the APC were clearly in violation of the Peace Accord signed by all parties participating in the election.
“What happened in Edo will not happen in Ondo.
“They (APC) have no manifesto except to say they are lucky. They want to subvert it. Our people are ready for them. Our safety guard is that the people are with us,” he said.
Responding, however, the Director of Media of the Ondo APC, Steve Otaloro, said the PDP’s allegations were baseless, flimsy, and a fabricated story aimed at tarnishing the party’s image.
Otaloro said the PDP’s sudden concern about violence was a desperate attempt to divert attention from their impending defeat, urging the PDP to commit to the electoral process and stop spreading unnecessary fear and agitation.
“The APC remains committed to a free, fair, and credible election. We urge the PDP to do the same and respect the democratic process.
“The people of Ondo State deserve better than baseless allegations and fear-mongering.
“The PDP’s press conference was merely a desperate attempt to prepare their script for their imminent loss in the coming election.
“They’re trying to create a narrative to explain away their impending defeat, but the people of Ondo State won’t be fooled,” he said.
