Pro-democracy activists in Ondo State at the weekend concluded plans to protest the deployment of Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
The Nation learnt that the convener of the rally, Titiloye Charles, a lawyer, has contacted various groups for the gathering.

They want a court to decide whether Adebayo is fit to conduct polls in the state because of her resignation during the controversial rerun election in Ekiti State.

During the Ekiti polls, Mrs Adebayo disappeared and re-appeared to declare a disputed election result.

The court will also determine whether the cancellation of some results by the tribunal as declared by Mrs. Adebayo were not a judicial indictment which incapacitates her to act as a returning officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Also, a lawyer and rights activist, Morakinyo Ogele, gave seven days to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to withdraw Mrs. Adebayo from the state.

He said if he does not, a writ of inandamus would be filed to remove her.

Ogele threatened to organise a black shirt peaceful demonstration in the state.

He accused Mrs. Adebayo of allegedly offering herself to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the controversial rerun election in Ekiti last year.

He said: "There is a triangular criminal alliance by INEC, police and PDP in stealing peoples’ votes. We will not allow the replica of such incident in Ondo State."

Charles is a former Secretary of the Akure branch of the Naigerian Bar Association (NBA).

He said: "We are committed to this struggle to help Jega’s INEC purge itself of landmines like Adebayo. She was left behind by Prof. Maurice Iwu.

"An umpire must have the confidence of all and sundry. Since the announcement of Mrs Adebayo, major electoral stakeholders have unanimously condemned the decision."

He urged Jega to withdraw Mrs Adebayo in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to fair polls.

Besides, the Nigeria United for Democracy (NUD) has described Mrs Adebayo’s posting to Ondo State as a tragedy for democracy.

In a statement by its chairman, Hon. Pius Omolola, NUD said it has rejected the appointment.

It described Mrs Adebayo’s relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the PDP as a threat to credible elections.

NUD said: "We want the public to know that her rapport with Obasanjo and PDP has automatically disqualified her from being posted to the state as REC."

The ruling Labour Party (LP) said posting Mrs. Adebayo was designed by the PDP to "capture" Ondo and Lagos states.

Obasanjo allegedly said this recently in Akure, the state capital.

NUD’s Director of Research and Publicity, Seyi James, said Mrs Adebayo’s posting to the state would be resisted by lovers of democracy.

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