Independent National Electoral Commission has cautioned Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against making baseless allegations during his election campaigns.
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, INEC addressed a claim made by Governor Makinde during a campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akure, where he called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Toyin Babalola, citing her Ondo State origin as a concern.
INEC refuted the claim, clarifying that Babalola is not from Ondo State, in adherence to the Commission’s policy of not deploying RECs to their states of origin.
INEC also reminded the public that Governor Makinde had made a similar unfounded allegation in 2020, ahead of the last gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to an allegation made by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, at his party’s campaign rally in Akure, where he called on the INEC Chairman to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, because ‘she is from Ondo State.’
“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 their state of origin. In 2020, ahead of the last governorship election in the same state, the Governor made a similar unsubstantiated allegation, which was later proven false.”
INEC appealed to high-ranking public officials, such as Governor Makinde, to ensure they verify their information before making allegations.
