The Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called for immediate redeployment of the Ondo Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Mrs. Toyin Babalola, before the November 16 governorship election, said this is to ensure the neutrality of the electoral umpire.
He made the call during the launch of its campaign for the November 16 governorship election in the State, with the Makinde, urging the people of the state not to sell their conscience.
The leader of the PDP in south west, charged the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy Babalola, over alleged partisanship and affiliation with an interested party in the election
“This message is for INEC National Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood that you must redeploy the Ondo REC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. She is from Ondo state.
“We will protest until she is removed. Ondo REC must be redeployed. She was born here, her parents leave here. She can never be fair in this election. We don’t want her in Ondo State, Babalola must leave.
“What they did in Edo will not succeed in Ondo. We will protest until she’s removed. Bring another REC that will be fair, that will allow a level playing field. We as PDP aren’t afraid of any contest. Remove her or else, we will continue to protest.
Makinde who called on the electorate to vote for the party’s candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, in the forthcoming election, said PDP would bring about the desired change the people of the state are yearning for.
He said “This is the beginning of a new dawn for PDP in Ondo state. Don’t sell your votes, shun money bags who want to buy your conscience. We must reflect on the hardship and pains of the last seven years as party member and vote Agboola as PDP candidate.
“We’ve seen what vote buying and selling has led us to. If they come to you, don’t sell your votes. We cannot allow you to suffer for another four years in Ondo State. You can see the dividends of democracy in Oyo, Osun and other PDP states in Nigeria.
He called on the people of the state to “Please, go out house to house, ward to ward over the next three weeks. Win souls for PDP.This is the beginning of the victory party for PDP in Ondo State.
The Chairman, PDP National Campaign Council for Ondo state election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, described the flag off as an end to the era of darkness in Ondo state, saying the Ondo people will soon witness drastic changes in every sector.
He maintained that the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken Ondo state several steps backwards, urging them to reject APC at the poll.
“I must say that the era of darkness is over in Osun and I welcome Ondo and the people of the state to light. Light illuminates and it transforms, so we are here to celebrate the beginning of the transformation of Ondo.
He expressed optimism that PDP would win the forthcoming governorship election, coming up on November 16 in the state and usher in unprecedented development in the state.
Adeleke said the people had seen and felt the poor performance of the government of the All Progressives Congress in the state and urged them to vote for PDP for a new beginning.
He charged the members of the party to support the campaign council and work for the success of the party in the forthcoming governorship poll.
The PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who also called for the redeployment of Babalola said the party would defend their votes with blood, saying “there is no good road and other infrastructure in Ondo.
Opportunity has come for you to change the narrative. There is suffering, hardship, and poverty in the land and we will work to protect our people. We would work to reduce the hardship of our people.
We will improve on the security enjoyed in the State, create employment opportunities, and reduce criminal activities in the State and the country.
The PDP flag bearer, Ajayi, while speaking on his seven agenda, which include, infrastructure, agriculture, health development amongst others, said “We will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies particularly Amotekun, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and Traditional Hunters through advanced training and provision of appropriate equipment.
“With the cooperative engagement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders implement community policing and neighborhood watch programs to improve public safety.
“Massively, we will produce food to immediately end hunger in the state by purchasing and distributing high yield seeds, seedlings and inputs to farmers.
“Increase and improve classrooms and other buildings for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions within the state. Free and compulsory education at the primary and junior secondary levels for all”
Agboola said, his government will provide a primary health centre in each of the 203 wards in the state to be staffed by trained and dedicated medical personnel and provide essential drugs, hospital consumables and laboratory services to patients at affordable costs.
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