Dr. Abbas Mimiko, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for the upcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election on November 16, has condemned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for seeking the removal of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.

Mimiko criticised top PDP Stakeholders from the South-West, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and gubernatorial candidate Agboola Ajayi, who raised concerns that Babalola who is originally from Ondo State, has been overly close with APC leaders, sparking concerns about the potential for bias in the upcoming election.

During a televised debate, Ajayi called for Babalola’s transfer, citing potential bias. Mimiko, however, defended Babalola’s integrity, highlighting her fair handling of the ZLP primaries and describing her as disciplined and impartial.

Mimiko argued that gender bias may be influencing the criticism, saying, “If a man held her position, these baseless allegations might not have surfaced. We should support, not undermine, women of integrity.”

Expressing confidence in Babalola’s ability to conduct a fair election, Mimiko dismissed the PDP’s concerns as unfounded.