I don’t have preferred candidate, says REC
Religious leaders in Ondo State, yesterday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a hitch-free election during the forthcoming November 16, 2024 governorship poll in the state.

The religious leaders, who said that necessary technologies and human capacity must be deployed for the poll, admonished that vote-buying and violence must be prevented.

According to the Chairman of Leagues of Imam in the state, Ahmad Aladesawe, during an interactive session with religious leaders and faith-based groups in the state, organised by INEC, stiffer punishment should be enforced for anyone caught engaging in electoral malpractices.

Aladesawe said that politicians must learn how to play the game by the rules to ensure the growth of the nation’s democracy.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Anslem Ologunwa, who was represented by Victor Adeola, urged politicians to educate their followers to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

On her part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the electoral body would continue to engage the electorate on the issue of vote-buying to eradicate the menace.

Meanwhile, Babalola has described the allegations against her as false.

Babalola said that she does not have a preferred candidate in the oncoming poll.

She, however, said that she never had any clandestine meeting with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as well as the leadership of the APC.