By Olufemi Makinde
The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer for the Info State governorship election in Ondo State.
The Chairman, National Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic who is also the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said at a press conference in Akure on Thursday that Ogunbodede and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Akeredolu, are from Owo Local Government Area.
Apart from being kinsmen, Makinde claimed that Ogunbodede is a crony o the governor. Based on this relationship, he said Ogunbodede would not be fair while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to replace him with somebody who is not related to any of the contestants in any way.
He also called.on the United Nations, United States, European Union and all lovers of democracy to tell INEC to be fair to all the parties.
He said, ‘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 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.
“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 called on security agencies to do more to ensure that the election was not manipulated in any way.
He called 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.
Makinde said security agencies had done well so far but urged them to more, saying they must not allow anybody to used them to thwart the will of the people.
“We call on all security agencies in Ondo State 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,” he added.
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 centre 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. not to
We call on all security agencies in Ondo State 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.