The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State, has criticised the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for his call to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo.

The ruling party, which disapproved of Makinde’s appeal to the electorate not to trade their votes, stressed that neither the state nor the electoral body is an appendage of the governor.

Makinde, during the flag-off campaign of the PDP in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday, urged the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, not to allow Mrs Toyin Babalola to oversee the election due to her alleged connections with the state.

In a statement by the APC’s publicity secretary in Ondo, Alex Kalejaye, the party described Makinde’s actions as insulting to the people of the state, asserting that their votes could not be bought.

He said: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is shocked at a statement credited to the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, demanding the immediate transfer of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Toyin Babalola, before the November governorship election.

“The State chapter wishes to remind the governor that neither Ondo State nor the electoral body is an appendage of his empire, where he rules as an administrator.

“The party notes that the electoral officer has, since assuming office, demonstrated integrity, competence, and capacity to handle any election. We find it extremely ludicrous that Makinde would issue such a directive when he didn’t influence Mrs. Omobolanle’s transfer to Ondo, nor is he a player in the state’s political space.

“The unsolicited advice to our people not to sell their conscience is also insulting. It is a well-known fact that Ondo people are politically sophisticated and act out of conviction—they are not as cheap as Makinde suggests.”

Kalejaye told the Oyo State Governor that Ondo APC has unbeatable structures across the state capable of defeating any party in any election, noting that Furthermore, the recent defection of prominent political figures from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strengthened APC’s chances in November.

He said, “It is therefore evident that our party will not resort to the undemocratic gymnastics used by the PDP to secure Makinde’s victory in Oyo in 2019. Fear not, Mr. Governor.

“Our advice to the governor is to focus on the myriad of problems currently facing Oyo State. It is unfortunate that Oyo is being run like a conquered territory, where the degree of capital flight is unmatched by any other state in the country.”

The party commended its members for their unwavering belief in the APC and urged them to maintain maturity and decorum as they continue campaigning for a renewal of the people’s mandate on November 16th.