The National Secretary of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Wale Oladipo, has insisted that Mr Jimoh Ibrahim remains the authentic flag bearer of the party ahead of the governorship election in the state.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Professor Oladipo said Ibrahim emerged as the party’s candidate in a duly conducted primary.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as an umpire should be neutral and abide by the ruling of an Abuja High Court, which said that only the candidate from Sheriff faction of the party should be recognised.
“We are determined to keep Ondo State. The NWC decided that for us to win that election, we need to give full backing to our candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim”, he said.
Oladipo said his group was not asking for any favour from INEC for Ibrahim in the governorship election, noting that all it was imploring the electoral body to do was to obey the order a Federal High Court in Abuja, which stated that the businessman was the authentic candidate of the PDP in Ondo State.
He said, “we know of no other candidate but Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim. A court of competent jurisdiction has said it, it has reiterated its position in another order which INEC itself has acknowledged receipt of. So, we are waiting to see the magic the electoral umpire is planning to perform.
“If they do otherwise, we will pursue the matter and ensure that the INEC staff involved is jailed for contempt of court” .
Speaking on the PDP crisis, Oladipo said both Sheriff and Makarfi were committed to resolving the leadership crisis in the party, but stated that the reconciliation must be done in accordance with the law.
“While we are preaching reconciliation, we will not allow anybody to trample on the constitution of the country. Jimoh Ibrahim’s candidature cannot be sacrificed on the altar of reconciliation”, the PDP leader said.
Just few days ago, a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Prince Biyi Poroye had claimed that the party’s candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) “is not a card-carrying member of the party.”
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