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| Ondo Assembly |
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has defended the Independent National Electoral Commission amid the lingering leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress, insisting the electoral body operates within the confines of the law.
Oladiji rejected allegations of bias levelled against INEC, stressing that the commission’s decisions are guided strictly by due process rather than political considerations.
The electoral umpire has come under criticism from opposition figures following its decision to derecognise a factional leadership within the ADC, a move that sparked accusations of external influence.
A faction of the party, reportedly aligned with a coalition and led by David Mark, had alleged that INEC was acting in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
The controversy also triggered calls from some opposition actors for the removal of the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Speaking on Tuesday at the unveiling of the Funke Fadeni Foundation by KSI Group in Ondo State, organised to mark the 10th anniversary of the late Chief Adefunke Fadeni, Oladiji maintained that the commission acted in line with established legal provisions.
He explained that in situations where political parties are divided into factions, INEC cannot accord recognition to multiple leadership structures, especially when such disputes are already before the court.
“When a political party is factionalised, the commission cannot recognise all sides. INEC is only ensuring compliance with due process. Once matters are in court, all parties should allow the judicial process to run its course,” he said.
The Speaker described claims of partisanship against the commission as baseless, adding that its constitutional responsibility is to safeguard order and uphold the rule of law in the electoral system.
On the issue of insecurity, Oladiji called for greater collaboration between citizens and government, noting that tackling the challenge should not be left solely in the hands of security agencies.
According to him, while the state government has strengthened security architecture through support for outfits such as Amotekun and other agencies, the role of the public in providing timely information remains vital.
“Security is a collective responsibility. Without useful information from the public, security agencies cannot function effectively,” he said, adding that insecurity remains a nationwide concern requiring sustained joint efforts.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of KSI Group, Engr. Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni, underscored the importance of empowerment initiatives in curbing insecurity, particularly through engaging youths productively.
Also, the Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Joshua Ogunduyilemi, highlighted grassroots strategies adopted to address insecurity, including educational support and vocational training for young people.
He noted that the council had sponsored students for external examinations such as WAEC and NECO, while also providing skills acquisition opportunities and starter packs to encourage self-reliance.
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