Akeju, says farewell to Governor Aregbesola in Osun

The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the western Nigerian state of Oyo, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, has assumed duty in Ibadan in spite of protest by members of the Coalition of Political Parties (CPP).

The Head of Department, Media and Voters Education of INEC, Alhaji Ayodele Folami, told the newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday that Akeju assumed duty on Tuesday.

Folami said that Akeju took over from Alhaji Nasir Ayilara, and had since signed his own aspect of the handover agreement.

He said that the protesters had the right to protest, adding that such action should be peaceful.
He also advised the protesters to guard against allowing hoodlums to hijack the protest.

“They started the protest on Monday and we have forwarded their demands to INEC headquarters in Abuja where the issued is being addressed,” Folami said.

Reacting to his rejection by the coalition, Akeju said that he had assumed duty and that nobody would stop him from carrying out his duty.

The Zonal Ex-Officio, South-West of PDP, Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde, told newsmen that the coalition would continue to protest until INEC addressed their complaints.

“We have made our point known since Monday when the protest started; there is no going back on this. All we are saying is that INEC should change him,’’ Isiaka said.

Isiaka promised that if the demands of the protesters were not met, the womenfolks in the coalition would appear naked