The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to compromise Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PDP accused the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin, of submitting lists of party members to serve as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers for the election.

The statement signed by its spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, said the party unravelled Mr Adetimehin’s plans after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) trained ad hoc staff.

“The training of presiding officers and assistant presiding officers by the 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,” it said.

While noting that Mr Adetimehin’s move to allegedly compromise the exercise was apparent, the opposition party added that it had been vindicated by the repeated calls for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola from overseeing the poll.

“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,” PDP stated.

However, in a swift reaction, the APC denied the allegation.

Alex Kalejaiye, spokesperson for the APC, said the party has no reason to compromise the election exercise, stating that it had campaigned vigorously to earn the support of the people of the state.

“It is not true. We have no reason to contemplate compromising the election. We have worked very hard; we have worked for the people.

“We have appealed to the people, and they have shown understanding and a willingness to support the party. Therefore, we have no reason to even consider compromising the election; it is simply not true. This is just one of those fabrications from the PDP.

“There is absolutely no reason to do that. Our strategy is to campaign. There is no reason to take any improper actions to secure a victory,” Mr Kalejaiye said.