Ondo Decides 2020: Returning Officer For Governorship Election Not From Ondo - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the Returning Officer for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State is not from Ondo.

Making this clarification in response to the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) claims that the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was appointed as the Returning Officer for the election, INEC warned that it was the sole responsibility of the commission to appoint the Returning Officer and in that light, it will not be sharing its constitutional and statutory function with any individual or political party.

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Speaking on behalf of the commission in Abuja on Friday, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, explained that the Returning Officer would report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State on the date conveyed in his letter of appointment issued several days ago.

“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.

“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 REC 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,” Okoye said.

It will be recalled that the Chairman of the National Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, had yesterday alleged that the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, was appointed as the Returning Officer for the Ondo election.

Rejecting the development, Makinde said, “We are speaking in particular about the appointment of Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, 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. 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.”