The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has rejected the appointment of Kayode Adebowale as the returning officer for the July 16 election in the state.
The party at a press conference on Monday said it rejected the returning officer who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan because of his partisanship and affiliation with the ruling All Progressive Congress.
Niyi Owolade, the Chairman, Legal Committee of Senator Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organisation, said Mr Adebowale was an APC appointee under the John Oyegun-led Council.
“It would therefore be unfair to the mantra of free and fair election for such a figure with close affinity to the APC to be appointed State Returning Officer for the July 16 elections,” he said.
“Prof Adebowale is not just an appointee of Oyegun led Council, he is clearly a member of the inner circle of APC going by his recent activities.”
Mr Owolade further said their rejection of Mr Adebowale was based on the premise that the returning officer has been “part of Ekiti APC campaign on more than five occasions”.
“It is particularly troubling that the Vice Chancellor was part of Ekiti APC campaign on more than five occasions. He was specifically very close to the family of the Ekiti Governor-elect before and during the campaigns.
“We therefore call on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mamhood Yakubu to urgently withdraw the appointment of Prof Adebowale and appoint a new neutral Returning Officer for Osun poll. We warn that we will not allow an APC sympathiser to superintend over the Osun election as was the case in 2018.”
