Aggrieved youths on Tuesday stormed the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Maitama, Abuja, demanding the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola.

They alleged that Babalola has a ‘fraternity’ with the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ondo State.

The protesters, under the auspices of Ondo Youth League and Action for Credible and Transparent Election, maintained that the November 16 governorship election in the state must be coordinated by persons whose views and opinions are consistent and not biased.

The demonstrators wielded placards with different inscriptions: “Ondo deserves transparency, INEC must redeploy Babalola now; INEC let Ondo be an example of transparency needed to rebuild public trust across Nigeria,” among others

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Ayodeji Adeyemi insisted that Babalola’s alleged fraternity with the ruling party in Ondo State is an impediment and a threat to democracy and other political parties in the election.

According to Adeyemi, “Someone who has spent all her life in the state and that has risen to that position cannot be seen not to hold favour to a certain person.

“She (Ondo REC) has not done anything wrong. We are not here to quarrel with INEC or teach the commission how to do it job. We are also not here to tarnish her image. A woman who grew up in our place, and drank our water knows our localities should not be in charge of an election we want to see as transparent.

“In the interest of democracy, anybody that resides in Ondo State, according to our law, such person cannot be seen presiding over the election.

“In the light of the above and for the purpose of credibility and transparency, we therefore wish to reiterate our demand for the immediate redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola as INEC REC in Ondo State.”

Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Major-General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali, said the commission would look at the request but noted that INEC is neutral and has no candidate in the forthcoming election.

Alkali maintained that the commission operates based on rules and regulations in respect to the constitution.

“As we represent the Commission, we abandoned our Commission meeting to receive you on behalf of the Chairman.

“We appreciate the way you conducted yourself and presented your complaint. INEC doesn’t waver in its actions because we listen to everyone. INEC has no political party or candidate; we operate based on rules and regulations in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our mission is to serve as an independent and effective election management body committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections in support of democracy. We promise never to fail you.”