Ondo: IPAC, Interloper, Has No Business In Internal Affairs Of INEC – PRP

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has insisted that removing or transferring officials is purely the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Reacting to a vote of confidence passed by the Inter Party Advisory Committee, (IPAC) on the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mrs Babalola, the party maintained that the committee’s action was unnecessary.

The PRP expressed  reservations about IPAC’s involvement in matters concerning the internal affairs of the INEC officials, asserting that IPAC has overstepped its mandate.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PRP emphasized that IPAC has no business endorsing or appraising INEC officials, a role that belongs exclusively to INEC itself.

“The Ondo REC’s appointment and evaluation should remain a matter of internal affairs of INEC, free from any political party’s interference, else the official wont be deemed apolitical.”

According to Oladele Oluwasesan, Chairman of the Ondo PRP, who was not present at IPAC’s endorsement of the REC, the council indeed overstepped its boundaries.

“Individual member parties should concentrate on their campaigns for the Ondo 2024 Governorship Election.”

He called on the IPAC State Chairman to desist from using the council for cheap politicking and personal aggrandizement.

“The PRP’s focus remains firmly on grassroots outreach and campaign activities, with no time for meddling in INEC-related internal matters.”

He described IPAC’s actions as overreaching and raised concerns about IPAC’s motives, while calling for transparency and accountability in the entire process.

“IPAC should release detailed reports of the purported investigations which made the accusations raised by the protesters, baseless.

In addition, the chairman condemned calls for the arrest of peaceful protesters, stressing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right of all citizens and should not be curtailed.

He described such calls as indicative of a lack of political leadership capacity in a time when the state needs inclusivity and the voice of the opposition the most.

“We are calling on INEC’s national office to disregard IPAC’s endorsement and carry out any necessary actions based on objective assessments.

“Ondo REC should remain focus on her duties of supervising free and fair election and refuse being swayed by politically motivated endorsements.”