ONDO: PDP rejects INEC returning officer

The Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday rejected the choice of the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer for next weekend’s governorship election in Ondo State.

The Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Seyi Makinde, who confirmed the party’s rejection of the vice-chancellor at a press briefing in Akure, said Ogunbodede is from Owo local government area of Ondo State.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, is from the LGA.

The Oyo State governor claimed the vice-chancellor is a known crony of Akeredolu and would not be neutral.

Makinde 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.

READ ALSO: Oyo Gov, Makinde, leads PDP campaign committee for Ondo guber poll

“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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