ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: PDP REJECTS OAU VC AS CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER
Ahead of the Saturday Ondo governorship election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer.
The Chairman of the National Campaign Council of PDP, Seyi Makinde, told newsmen at a press briefing in Akure on Thursday.
Makinde, who is also the Oyo State Governor, said Ogunbodede is from Owo Local Government Area like Governor Akeredolu, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition party claimed the VC is a known crony of Akeredolu and would not be fair in the electoral process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not announced Ogunbodede, however, Makinde claimed the party has been informed that the VC had been selected.
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.
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“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.”
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