THE Independent National Electoral Commission has said that it is its sole responsibility to appoint a Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election, adding that it does not share this responsibility with any individual, group or political party.
INEC in a statement by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the Returning Officer appointed for Saturday poll in Ondo was not from the state as claimed by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Campaign Council for the Ondo election.
The commission added that the returning officer was not also from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as speculated, noting that he would report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner on his resumption date.
The Point had reported that Makinde, on behalf of the PDP Campaign Council, rejected the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer of the election on Saturday.
He had claimed that the VC was a kinsman of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
Makinde, who addressed journalists in Akure, said Ogunbodede was from Owo, Akeredolu’s hometown, adding that he won’t be a fair party in the proceedings by virtue of association.
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.
“The PDP totally rejects Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede acting as Chief Returning Officer.”
The governor noted, “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.”
But INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a press conference addressed by the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday October 8, 2020 to the effect that the Commission has appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, as the Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election taking place on October 10, 2020.
“While the Commission will not be drawn into speculations relating to the performance of its constitutional and statutory functions, it is imperative to set the records straight for the benefit of the people of Ondo State and the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is the sole responsibility of the Commission to appoint a Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election and does not share this responsibility with any individual, group or Political Party.”
The commission added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election is not from Ondo State and not from the University mentioned in the said press conference.
“The Returning Officer appointed by the Commission will report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State on the date conveyed in his letter of appointment issued several days ago.
“The Commission is firmly focused on the conduct of free, fair and peaceful election and implores all the stakeholders to cooperate and play their own part in ensuring peaceful election and not to engage in unhelpful speculation.
“The main concern of the Commission is in ensuring a credible electoral process while the outcome is in the hands of the people of Ondo State,”
The PDP had called on INEC to stay true to its name and replace Prof Ogunbodede with a disinterested party, saying the Chief Returning Officer should have no affiliations with any of the participating parties in the elections.
