A factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has said that he will not take sides in any conflict over the choice of candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for Ondo State, where governorship election holds on November 26.
A statement from Mr. inuwa Bwala, Special advicer to Sheriff noted that, “This is against widespread speculations linking him with controversies surrounding the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and Jimoh Ibrahim as candidates of the PDP for the Ondo elections, to the effect that he has been arms-twisting the electoral body.
“Sheriff wishes to state that, as a law abiding leader, he is bound by whoever INEC publishes, as both candidates in contention are respectable members of the PDP, and he will treat their issues based on merits and in accordance with the law.”
He dismissed insinuations that he was behind several petitions against the INEC stressing that he had done his duty by submitting a name to INEC, and expected that the Commission would act in accordance with its own mandate.
“Sheriff is not unmindful of events leading to the emergence of the two candidates, but wishes to assure Nigerians that steps are being taken to resolve all such issues even beyond what INEC may do, to avoid past experiences occasioned by internal bickering in the PDP.
“The national chairman wishes to assure the people of Ondo State that Party Leaders have been working to ensure the PDP wins in the forthcoming elections, immaterial of who would fly its flag.
“He is not aware of any alleged move to blackmail INEC as he has high regards for the Commission, even as he charges INEC to ensure that the PDP is not shortchanged in any future election, but should allow the people’s votes to count.
“Ali Modu Sheriff did not author nor did he authorize any petition to be written on his behalf, as is being mischievously alleged in some sections of the media and wishes to state that people should stop using his name to settle scores,” Mr. Inuwa said.
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