The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it will not accept the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Eyitope Ogunbodede as the Chief Returning Officer of the Saturday election in Ondo state.
Seyi Makinde, the Chairman of the PDP Ondo State Gubernatorial National Campaign Council stated this while addressing newsmen in Akure, the state capital on Thursday.
Makinde said:
“All the hard work and support we have provided for our candidate, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede SAN, who will help us Reclaim Ondo comes down to one date: October 10, 2020.
“However, it has come to our notice that the people of Ondo State will not be getting free and fair elections if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as presently composed, will be overseeing the elections.
“We are speaking in particular about the appointment of Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as the Chief Returning Officer of the Ondo State Governorship election.
“The PDP totally rejects Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede acting as Chief Returning Officer. He is a known crony of Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, candidate of the All Progressives Congress and hails from Owo, the same hometown as the candidate.
“He cannot be a fair party in the proceedings by virtue of their association,” Makinde noted.
Makinde therefore urged INEC to come clean by replacing the OAU VC.
“We also want to state that Professor A. S. Bamire, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who conducted the training of returning officers is not a neutral party for the purpose of this election.
“We therefore call on INEC to stay true to their name and replace Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede with a disinterested party.
“The Chief Returning Officer should have no affiliations with any of the participating parties in the elections,” he said.
The Oyo state governor also called on the international community to prevail on INEC to do the needful.
“We also take this opportunity to call on all lovers of democracy around the world to pay attention to what the APC led administration in the center is trying to do in Ondo State.
“We call on the United Nations, the European Union, the United State and the United Kingdom and indeed all allies of democracy to call INEC to order.
“We call on all security agencies in Ondo State not to allow themselves to be used as a tool against the will of the people.
“We commend you for all you have done so far providing the needed support and security for our candidate and our people. We urge you to do more.
“Don’t forget that history and posterity have never been kind to anyone who allowed themselves to be used as a tool for injustice. We urge you to read the mood of the people and act accordingly.
“Politicians may come and go, but the people will always remain. Remember, the world is watching,” Makinde emphasized.
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