INEC warns Makinde against baseless allegations during electioneering process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, over what it described as “serial and unfounded allegations” made during the electioneering process.

INEC emphasized the need for responsible conduct and discourse by political leaders to maintain a fair and credible electoral environment.

The warning came after Governor Makinde, during a campaign rally for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akure on Tuesday, called for the removal of Mrs. Toyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State. The governor had claimed that Mrs. Babalola’s appointment should be reconsidered simply because she hails from Ondo State.

In response, INEC took to its official X (formerly Twitter) account to refute the governor’s claim, urging that such accusations should be based on facts, not assumptions. The commission reassured Nigerians of its commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

INEC clarified that Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State, in accordance with the commission’s policy of not deploying RECs to their state of origin. The commission further noted that this was not the first time Governor Makinde had made such allegations. In 2020, ahead of the Ondo State governorship election, he accused a senior INEC official of collaborating with a university vice-chancellor to influence the election results—an allegation that INEC described as untrue.

In its statement, INEC appealed to public office holders, including Governor Makinde, to verify their claims before making public accusations. The statement read: “For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State in line with the Commission’s policy not to deploy a REC to his or her state of origin. In 2020, ahead of the last governorship election in the same state, he accused a senior official of the Commission of working with the Vice Chancellor of a federal university to undermine the election. The allegation was untrue.

“We appeal to holders of high public office such as Governor Makinde to verify their information before making these serial, unfounded allegations.”

https://x.com/inecnigeria/status/1846253877739266429?t=CO4MmUMKN33UHiMQDEhyqw&s=19

INEC reiterated its dedication to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, and urged all political stakeholders to act responsibly as the nation prepares for upcoming elections.