Five days to the off-circle gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) of submitting two names per each of 3,933 polling units to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be trained as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers to be trained and work for INEC on Saturday in the November 16 election.

A statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, alleged that the state Chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin personally submitted the names to INEC.

But APC has denied the allegation in a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, saying APC is a committee to a free, fair and credible election.

Peretei had alleged that ?The sinister plan by the Ade Adetimehin led All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November, 16 Governorship election has been revealed.

?The training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers by Independent National Electoral Commission is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad-hoc staff to function in these capacities. Unfortunately, Ade Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons who are APC members per Polling Unit to INEC to serve as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, even when these persons did not attend the training.

?The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, wishes to alert the public that, the APC is banking on compromising the election at all costs, having failed tragically to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

?The entire world is watching and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin?s backing in this evil.

?Our party wishes to admonish all actors to play according to the rule. The entire world is watching, and nobody can hide behind one finger,? he said.

However, denying the allegation, Otaloro said: ?The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Chapter, strongly denies the allegations made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding plans to compromise the November 16 governorship election.

?These claims are baseless and a product of the PDP?s imagination. Engr. Ade Adetimehin, our chairman, will never engage in illegal activities, especially in an election we?re poised to win.

?The PDP?s latest accusation is a desperate attempt to justify their earlier futile call for the removal of Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. This allegation is treacherous, false, and coined to disrupt the electoral process. It?s not enough to make allegations; the PDP must prove their claims by presenting the names of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers allegedly submitted by Ade Adetimehin to INEC.

?The PDP?s campaign of calumny and constant attacks on the APC has made them a laughing stock among election observers in the state. Their sole focus on discrediting our party rather than presenting a viable manifesto is a disservice to the people of Ondo State. The electorate deserves better than mere attacks; they deserve a clear vision for the state?s future.

?We urge the PDP to focus on issue-based campaigning and respect the democratic process. The APC remains committed to a free, fair, and credible election,? he reiterated. (Daily Independent)