Youths in Ondo State, under the aegis of the Ondo State Youth Vanguard, have called for the removal of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the forthcoming November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state.

The youths, who stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akure, the state capital, stressed that they no longer have trust in the REC to execute a seamless election due to her alleged connivance with some politicians and political parties ahead of the poll, particularly Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group, led by its spokesperson, the Akure South Coordinator of Vanguard for Democracy, Olawale Ijanusi, demanded that an unbiased REC be appointed for a hitch-free poll to be conducted.

According to the youths, who equally submitted a petition written by their counsel, Adeniyi Farinto, to the National Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alleged that Babalola had an affiliation with politicians, particularly the APC fold, adding that she had been a resident of Akure for years.

Meanwhile, the Administrative Secretary of the Commission, Biodun Amosun, who received the protesters, assured them that their votes would count.

Amosun, who disclosed that the allegations against the REC would be handled at the national headquarters of the electoral body, said: “We have heard your demands. The thing is being handled at the headquarters.

RELATEDLY, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, has expressed dismay over the lack of concern allegedly being displayed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa towards the insecurity situation recorded in various parts of the state.

The opposition party alleged that Aiyedatiwa had turned a blind eye to the situation with no strategic measure to tackle it.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Kennedy Peretei, said that the stance of the governor echoing that the people of the state are “lucky” with his emergence as the governor was at variance with the reality residents of the state are facing.

Meanwhile, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Mrs. Susan Gbemisola Alabi, has resigned her membership from the party.

Alabi, in her letter to step down as running mate to the governorship candidate of the party, Bamidele Akingboye, said: “I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to run alongside you. Your leadership has been inspiring, and I have learnt a lot on this journey.

“As you step away, I wish you the very best in your future endeavours. I am confident that you will continue to make a significant impact on our great state.”

In the same vein, Alabi in her letter to the National Chairman of the SDP, said: “I am writing to formally resign my membership in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) effective immediately.

“This decision was not made lightly, as I have valued my time with the party. However, after careful consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to pursue new opportunities and directions.”

Meanwhile, when contacted about the development, the Director General of Bamidele Akingboye Campaign Council, Femi Ikoyi, disclosed that he was not aware of the development.