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December 22, 2024

Ondo Guber: PDP Accuses APC of Manipulating Poll Officials

With just five days to the Ondo State gubernatorial election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious allegations against the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of attempting to influence the electoral process by submitting the names of APC members for the roles of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers. According to the PDP, APC submitted two names per polling unit out of the 3,933 in the state to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for training ahead of the November 16 election.

The accusation was made in a statement issued by the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, who alleged that APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, personally submitted the names to INEC, despite the individuals not attending the required training for these roles.

“The sinister plan by the Ade Adetimehin-led APC ahead of the November 16 governorship election has been revealed,” Peretei said. “The training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad-hoc staff to function effectively. Unfortunately, Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons per polling unit, all of whom are APC members, to serve in these capacities without attending the training.”

Peretei went further to accuse the APC of trying to compromise the election due to their failure to deliver on governance, adding, “The entire world is watching, and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin’s backing.”

In response, the APC has vehemently denied the allegations. Steve Otaloro, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, dismissed the claims as “baseless” and an invention of the PDP. Otaloro emphasized that APC’s Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, would never engage in any illegal activities, particularly in an election the party believes it is poised to win.

“The PDP’s accusation is a desperate attempt to justify their earlier futile call for the removal of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. This allegation is false and aimed at disrupting the electoral process,” Otaloro stated. He called on the PDP to provide proof of their claims by presenting the names allegedly submitted by Adetimehin to INEC.

Otaloro further criticized the PDP’s campaign, accusing the opposition of focusing on baseless attacks instead of presenting a clear manifesto to the people of Ondo State. He called on the PDP to engage in issue-based campaigning and respect the democratic process.

As the election draws closer, the accusations have added to the political tension, with both parties preparing for a highly contested race. The public and electoral observers are keenly watching the developments in the lead-up to the November 16 poll. Police Arrest Prophetess Over Pregnant Woman’s Death

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