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Tag: Ondo PDP

  • Ondo PDP walks on tightrope

    Ondo PDP walks on tightrope

    The substitution of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name with Chief Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State has sent the Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led faction back to the drawing board. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the likely effect of the tussle over the ticket on the party’s chances at the polls.

    LESS than a month to the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn. The final list of candidates released last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has compounded the crisis within the ruling party; with the substitution of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name with Chief Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the party. The leadership tussle at the national level polarised the fold into two groups: the Ali Modu-Sheriff group and the Ahmed Makarfi group. The division has permeated into the state chapters, including Ondo. The INEC had initially recognised Jegede (SAN), who emerged at the primary organised by the Makarfi faction, as the party’s flag bearer for the poll.  Ibrahim was elected to fly the party’s flag at the convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by the Sheriff group.

    This development has put the Olusegun Mimiko-led faction, which is loyal to the Makarfi group, in a quandary. Reacting to the development, Mimiko cried foul, alleging that the INEC was biased. To Mimiko and his group, the INEC’s decision was influenced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that was determined to take over the state at all costs.

    Jegede’s supporters went wild in Akure at the weekend, protesting the decision. They set bonfire on the highways, disrupting vehicular movement and commercial activities for hours in the state capital. Mimiko, shocked by the INEC decision, made an impromptu trip to Abuja to reverse the electoral commission’s decision. Faulting the decision, he argued that what the commission did had no basis in law and politics.

    According to the governor, the electoral body allowed itself to be misled by the order of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, because the order was on the PDP leadership tussle, which has nothing to do with the governorship candidate in Ondo State. He said there was no justification in removing Jegede’s name, because Ibrahim did not get a court order asking the INEC to recognise him as the PDP candidate. Mimiko advised the INEC to reconsider its decision and revert to the status quo.

    In his reaction, the party’s Chairman, Chief Clement Faboyede, alleged that it was the APC that influenced the INEC to remove Jegede’s name and replace it with that of Ibrahim. He alleged that the agency was playing out the APC’s script to take over Ondo by all means. He said: “We will not surrender to the APC’s intimidation. Jegede is our candidate and nobody can subvert the choice of the people of Ondo. We stand by our choice, because we know Jegede has the capacity and skill to take Ondo to the next level. INEC cannot foist a candidate who is not a member of the PDP on us.”

    But, a lawyer, Mr. Akin Akinmusere, said Justice Abang, in his new directive reaffirmed his earlier ruling that the INEC should recognise only candidates presented for election by the Sheriff faction. To Akinmusere, INEC has no option than to abide by the ruling of the court.

    The National Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Prof. Wale Oladipo, said the electoral umpire did the right thing by recognising Ibrahim as the authentic candidate.

    He said: “INEC’s decision was based on the valid ruling of the Federal High Court that declared Jimoh Ibrahim as the authentic candidate of the party.”

    Oladipo added: “The court declared that INEC shall accept and process for the purpose of its functions and activities in organisation and conduct of Ondo State governorship election only the nomination of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim who emerged from primary election conducted by the first and second judgment Creditors/Applicants on August 29, 2016 as the candidate of the PDP in the said Ondo State governorship election slated for November 2016.

    “We have not asked for any favour for our candidate. He went through the party primary and won. We submitted his name and that of his running mate to INEC. In the process of doing this, a court order came to reaffirm him (Jimoh Ibrahim) as the authentic candidate. INEC has complied with the court order.

    “The PDP as a party is committed to winning Ondo State again and again, because the state belongs to the PDP from the onset. The opposition had tried in the past to win the state, but failed; just as the PDP had tried to win Lagos State severally but failed. We are full in support of our candidate, who is Dr. Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim, and we will back him to victory.”

    The Appeal Court has decided to start hearing Jegede’s appeal today. The appellate court said the urgency of the issue involved prompted it to accord it accelerated hearing.

     

    INEC clarifies position

     

    INEC has absolved itself of the allegations of bias and partisanship. Its spokesman, Mr. Nick Dazang, said the commission was not playing out the script of any political party or an individual. Rather, he said the commission, in its decision, was guided by the law that set it up and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Dazang, who is the INEC Deputy Director of Publicity, said: “There is a court order that INEC should recognise Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the Ondo governorship election. Once there is a court order we must abide by it. INEC is an agency set up by law and its action must be guided by law. If you look at the list just released by INEC, you will find in front of Jimoh Ibrahim court order in bracket.

    “There is still room for change. I understand that the Jegede group has appealed against the ruling of the Federal High Court. If they were able to win at the appellate court and if there is an order that INEC should remove Jimoh’s name, INEC will go by it. It is not the responsibility of the INEC to challenge court rulings. Judges arrived at decisions based on evidence before them. Aggrieved candidates or parties should seek redress in court and whatever the court says INEC has no choice but to obey.

    “We had a similar situation in Abia where a PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Uche Ogah contested the governorship primary and lost. He challenged the winner of the primary, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in court that he was not qualified to contest governorship shadow election, because the tax documents he attached to his nomination were not in order. When the Federal High Court nullified Ikpeazu’s election and directed INEC to issue Ogah the Certificate of Return, we complied. When the Appeal Court reversed the judgment of the High Court and upheld Ikpeazu’s victory, INEC withdrew the certificate issued to Ogah, based on the judgment of the appellate court, because the order was from a superior court.

    “In Edo, the candidate of the Makarfi group, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was listed as the PDP candidate based on a court order. INEC has been consistent. We are not playing anybody’s script. If we receive any order from a superior court in the case of Ondo PDP, INEC will comply. Don’t forget we had an issue with Jimoh Ibrahim of recent, when he alleged that one of our staff demanded a bribe of $1 million from him, which has turned out to be false. INEC is not acting on the order of any political party or the Presidency.”

    Observers have absolved INEC of any wrong doing in the matter, saying the commission acted on the order of the court. A lawyer and activist, Mr. Monday Ubani, sees nothing wrong in what INEC has done. He said the electoral body acted within the ambit of law. According to him, INEC is bound to obey court order if the order is not from a court of coordinating jurisdiction.

    Ubani, the Second National Chairman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said Justice Abang has affirmed the earlier ruling that recognised Ali Modu–Sheriff as the authentic leader of the PDP and that based on this, he directed INEC to accept only candidates presented by the Sheriff group as PDP candidates. He said until that decision is reversed by a superior court INEC must comply with that order.

    The lawyer said hope is not lost for the Makarfi group. He said: “If the PDP wins the governorship poll and the appeal favoured them and the judgment was delivered after the election, Jegede will reclaim the mandate. The Supreme Court judgment on Kogi governorship election has affirmed that it is the political party that wins election, not the candidate. That is to say that the votes were cast for the political party, not the candidate.”

    A lawyer, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said INEC did the right thing by obeying the court order. He said the crisis in the PDP has nothing to do with INEC, adding that the party is obliged to act according to the rule of law and on court rulings. The lawyer said it is better to act on the side of the law, rather than to take the course of impunity.

    Basiru condemned the attitude of politicising every issue to cast aspersion on institutions. He said: “What is the concern of President Muhammadu Buhari in the internal crisis of the PDP that they are trying to link him with? It is strictly a legal matter and the proper thing is to go to court and seek redress.”

     

    Whither the PDP?

     

    The latest development has grave implications for the PDP in the November 26 contest. The fresh crisis is likely to decimate the party as it prepares for the election. Analysts believe the new development has foreclosed the possibility of a last minute reconciliation that could have brought the two factions together and settle their differences for the purpose of winning the election. They also said the unity of purpose, which the PDP required to win the election, cannot be achieved, because of the animosity between Mimiko and Ibrahim. The possibility of both of them working together after the court decision is very slim.

    Analysts say if Ibrahim is finally recognised by the Court of Appeal, the PDP should just forget the election, because the odds against Ibrahim are overwhelming. His faction is not on ground. The key leaders of the PDP in Ondo are against his candidacy.

    Observers predict, that if the appeal favours Jegede and his name is returned on the list by INEC, the supporters of Jimoh would work against him, because they consider Jegede as a tool to actualise what they describe as Mimiko’s third term agenda. They believe Mimiko is contesting the governorship election by proxy; and if Jegede wins, Mimiko will be ruling the state indirectly.

    On the other hand, the victory of Jegede is very crucial to Mimiko, because it will determine his status in Ondo after leaving office. Analysts say his political relevance depends on Jegede winning the election. They cited the cases of the former PDP governors – Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger) – who failed in their attempt to install their anointed candidates as their successors; saying they have become ordinary members of the PDP in their states and at the national level.  That is why Mimiko is ready to go any length, they added, to ensure Jegede’ name is back on the list.

     

  • Mimiko, Ondo PDP and the storm in a tea cup

    Mimiko, Ondo PDP and the storm in a tea cup

    As you read this on Sunday morning, I suspect that all is calm on the streets of Akure and the apocalyptic prophecy of Governor Olusegun Mimiko that INEC’s rejection of his preferred candidate, would set the state on fire, hasn’t come to pass.

    Early Friday morning, protesters took over some streets in Akure, the Ondo State capital, setting bonfires and demanding that the commission recognises Eyitayo Jegede, gubernatorial candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi-faction of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as their authentic representative in the November elections.

    A few days ago, Ondo PDP and Mimiko, had been rocked by news that an Abuja Federal High Court had declared businessman Jimoh Ibrahim the PDP governorship candidate.

    Anticipating what was about to come given that INEC had vowed to obey all court orders, the party sped to an Akure High Court to secure an order restraining the electoral body from removing Jegede’s name from the ballot.

    That tactical move now appears to have come too late because an even more devastating punch would be delivered to the party and Mimiko with INEC setting aside Jegede’s name and substituting same with Ibrahim.

    For the governor, it is a stunning personal reversal given that Jegede was his anointed successor, while he and Ibrahim are sworn political foes. It would be calamitous for him were the controversial businessman to somehow claim victory at the polls and be installed in Government House.

    For all the powers they are said to wield this was one situation that exposed the limits of gubernatorial clout. Mimiko’s options for reversing the unfavourable situation were limited and the institutions that can do so remain awkwardly outside his sphere of command. This is more so given that judges would be keen to play it by the book with so much focus on them.

    No surprise therefore that the governor ran to Aso Rock to confer with President Muhammadu Buhari. Maybe there’s something about a face-to-face briefing, but I suspect that everything that could have been said about the tense political situation could have been done over the phone.

    In reality, the best that the president could have done for Mimiko and his troubled PDP is ensure that security forces restore calm to Akure streets and sustain the peace. Beyond that I don’t see how Buhari who wouldn’t interfere in his own party’s National Assembly leadership power struggle, was going to ‘order’ INEC to change its decision to recognise Ibrahim in place of Jegede.

    When Mimiko says he ran to the president to intervene because INEC’s decision was capable of setting the state on fire, the suggestion is that Buhari could somehow prevail on the Commission to rectify the ‘wrong’ that has been done. But that isn’t going to happen in a hurry.

    Politically, it is in the president’s interest for his foes to intensify their internecine warfare – wearing themselves out to the advantage of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Indeed, the crisis is god-sent for government at the centre given that the management of its own governorship primaries left its ranks bitterly divided.

    With Olusola Oke leaving for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to pursue his dreams, and Olusegun Abraham heading for the courts to sustain his fight for the APC ticket, a divided house was set to confront PDP and most analysts didn’t rate the party’s chances.

    As things stand Mimiko is caught between a rock and a very hard place. He has to be seen to be doing something by rushing off to Abuja. But he would be better served reviewing his legal strategies as only the courts can deliver him and his party from their current quagmire.

    Indeed, rather than blaming INEC he should be blaming himself and the local party. The commission is in a comfortable place where it can argue that because of its commitment to the rule of law it would obey all court orders.

    Now, there are two orders. Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Federal High Court ordered INEC to accept Ibrahim as PDP candidate, while an Akure High Court restrained the Commission from substituting or replacing Jegede on the ballot for the election.

    In this instance which of the courts was INEC to obey – the higher ranked Abuja Federal High Court or the state High Court? We are not talking of a situation where litigants can hide under the confusion of courts of coordinate jurisdiction giving conflicting rulings on the same matter.

    So rather than training his guns on INEC, Mimiko and his own faction of the Ondo PDP ought to be taking the fight to the judicial leadership for guidance and clarity.

    Surely, the governor couldn’t have so quickly forgotten the role played by the court in his coming to power. The ruling against Jegede is from the High Court and there are higher courts – so it’s not as if the candidate and PDP have run out of legal options.

    That should be his focus rather than dancing too quickly to the melody of blackmail and violence coming from the streets.

    As for the protesters and rioters who took over the streets on Friday, perhaps, someone needs to remind them that a thousand burnt tyres won’t make a judge reinstate Jegede if he’s not convinced by the facts that have been pleaded in court.

    In any event, such politically-motivated demonstrations however violent they may be are not sustainable beyond a few hours. This is not even a protest arriving from a volatile event like a general election. So Mimiko was being unduly dramatic with his claims that the misfortune of his preferred candidate would tear Ondo apart.

    As chief security officer of the state he should mobilise security forces to clear the streets, while Jegede’s supporters take their case to the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court  – if they so choose. That is the way our institutions and processes can become better.

    Inside the head of a Nigerian politician

    Anyone who’s had contact with them knows that the thought processes of the Nigerian politician are unique. What you and I, the uninitiated, would consider folly, they regard as the height of wisdom. A few examples during the week underline this train of thought.

    Take the demonstrations in Akure mentioned in the earlier piece. Someone somewhere imagined that if he unleashes some urchins onto the streets, the threat of the spiral of violence would force the hands of the powers-that-be.

    Through the years we have seen this blackmail fail again and again when deployed. But that hasn’t stopped politicians from trying one more time.

    In 2011, after he swept the polls up north but lost to the PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan in the national presidential election results declared by INEC. This outcome was the trigger for a wave of violence that swept through several states – leaving many dead and property worth millions destroyed.

    Whether the reaction was spontaneous or sponsored remains moot. What isn’t not in doubt is that the incumbent government soon asserted its authority on the street – making the violent protests a futile knee-jerk reaction to an adverse political outcome.

    In the last two weeks, former First Lady Patience Jonathan has been in the courts battling to recover her millions of dollars which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen. On both occasions, there were sponsored demonstrators entertaining the photographers outside while the lawyers did their business inside.

    I am still trying to work out whether the so-called protests were supposed to make the EFCC chairman and the presiding judge shiver in their boots. If not, then all they do is offer cold comfort to the accused.

    But even that is worthless because we know that the demonstrators are not people with the courage of their convictions, but individuals bussed in to play roles for a fee.

    This is not to deny that the streets have not affected the direction of political events. From Iran to The Phillipines we’ve seen people’s power topple tyrannical regimes and ignite revolutions. But in such instances the movements were authentic and often spontaneous. Here what we witness again and again are pointless spectacles staged by fifth rate actors.

  • Ondo PDP: INEC stays action till Oct 27

    Ondo PDP: INEC stays action till Oct 27

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may have to wait till next week before taking a final decision on which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate to admit for next month’s governorship election.

    The parties participating in the November 26 election have till October 27 to submit final nominees for the election.

    No submission will be allowed beyond that day and any legal matter on party nomination not resolved before then would have to be resolved as pre-election matter after the election.

    Candidates have emerged from the PDP’s various factions.

    The Ahmed Markafi-led committee primary monitored by INEC fielded Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) while the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction whose primary was initially stopped by an Akure High Court necessitating the primary been moved to Ibadan, Oyo State also nominated Jimoh Ibrahim.

    In resolving the legal logjam on the authentic candidate to be listed by INEC for the election, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a chat with our correspondent, said the commission will always abide by the law and all its action concerning the PDP candidate for the Ondo State poll will follow due process.

    The commission, he said, will not go against the law, explaining further that its action will be based on any current legal decision.

    Confirming that the commission was in possession of the latest court order which favored Jimoh Ibrahim, Oyekanmi was however of the opinion that going by the legal tussle, what was with the commission may not be absolute.

    He said: “I can confirm that we have received the judgment. But one thing I want to note is that the deadline for the submission of candidates is October 27. So anything can happen between now and October 27.

    “So whatever we have now is not absolute, that is just the implication. But we have received the judgment. Because between now and October 27th anything can still happen.”

    One thing he said was certain was the fact that PDP will not be excluded from the poll, saying rather the name on the electoral paper would reflect court order.

    He added: “It is the latest judgment that we get that we obey. That is what INEC is operating on. If they bring a judgment that is valid, we will obey and if you bring another judgment tomorrow that nullifies the previous judgment, based on the latest judgment we will obey.

    “We have our consortium of lawyers and also in-house lawyers and we deliberate on these things.

    “But what this chairman has vowed is that it will be a commission that operates on the basis of rule of law. So if we get a copy of this judgment and it’s valid we have no option than to comply.”

     

  • Ondo PDP hails court verdict against Sherrif

    Ondo PDP hails court verdict against Sherrif

    THE Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, which affirmed the National Caretaker Committee, headed by Ahmed Makarfi.

    It described the verdict as a vindication for democracy and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Federal High Court had upheld the removal of Ali Modu Sherrif as PDP national chairman.

    According to a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Banji Okunomo, the verdict revalidated the decision of the PDP delegates at their national congress in Port Harcourt.

    With the judgment, the party noted that the multiple cases involving the PDP at various lower courts are apparently resolved.

    The judgment also nullified the court cases involving the party in various High Courts, particularly those in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

    According to the statement, the judgment was tantamount to stripping Sherrif of his claim as the national leader of the PDP.

    “The judgment also serves as a warning to Sherrif’s inconsequential co-travellers, who have been out for the last one month playing the script of the ruling party in Nigeria.

    “The PDP uses this medium to commend Justice Abdullahi  Liman of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for summoning the courage to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary at this time of judicial recklessness.

    “The PDP strongly believes that if the dictates of democracy are followed strictly without running foul of its principles, there would be no room for political crises or anarchy.

    “Any deliberate act to undermine democratic principles and tenets would not only be resisted by the people, but such acts would not have any ground of law to stand,” it said.

  • Ondo PDP blasts APC over comments on Mimiko’s trip

    Ondo PDP blasts APC over comments on Mimiko’s trip

    The Ondo Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has criticised the All Progressives Congress(APC) over its comments on Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s working visit to the United Kingdom(UK)in spite of the ongoing industrial action by workers.

    A statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, said even though the workers’ strike is unfortunate, but such action is not restricted to Ondo State.

    He added that the spate of industrial action was ignited by the poor understanding of economic management of the APC-led Federal Government.

    PDP said: “The fact that the governor embarked on a working visit does not in any manner indicate that the apparatus of governance equally took a walk.”

    It explained that while the Mimiko was away, the Commissioner for Finance was in Abuja in respect of the N14 billion staggered loan the state is accessing to settle workers’ salaries.

    He said the deputy governor also attended a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Fadaka added that the House of Assembly sat to give approval to the Executive’s quest to get the loan.

    The statement said: “It is also germane that we emphatically declare for the umpteenth time that the governor’s trip to the United Kingdom was sponsored by the authorities of the Chatham House, who also took care of his stay and feeding while he was their guest.

    “It was a working visit for the governor, who used the opportunity to enunciate the many achievements that have been recorded in our health sector, a factor that is responsible for his invitation in the first instance, and the need for the governor to share this experience on a world platform.

    “It is germane to mention that the Ondo model in healthcare will be of help in many developing nations since it has been made public in a cathedral of policy formulations that the Chatham House represents.”

    The PDP said the APC operatives in the state should learn a lesson on how to play opposition.

    “It is our sincere opinion that it should constructively criticise developments in our state without being outlandish and pedestrian,” the statement said.

     

  • Ondo PDP fails to hold ward congress

    Ondo PDP fails to hold ward congress

    •Okurinboye joins guber race

    The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday failed to hold its congress in any of the 203 wards in the state. The national secretariat of the party had directed all its state chapters to hold congresses at the ward level in line with the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

    However, the state chapter of the PDP failed to organise the congress, claiming that it had held its congress before the date given by the national secretariat of the party. In all the wards visited in Akure, the state capital, there were no signs of congresses being held and same was the situation in other parts of the state.

    The PDP spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, however, said the leadership of the party decided to hold its ward congress before the date fixed by the national secretariat.

    Fadaka ,said “we have held our own congress before now and it was held peacefully in all the 203 wards in the state. Our ward executives have emerged and all the party leaders and members are pleased with their emergence.”

    He explained that the national secretariat of the party was duly informed of the party’s congress when it was held, adding that representatives of the party’s national secretarial supervised the congress.

    He informed that the party remains committed to the position of its leadership at the national level despite the separate arrangement, which he said was fundamental to the unity and progress of the party in the state.

    However, it was speculated that the party only selected its leaders on the directive of the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    Meanwhile, a former PDP Senator, Remi Okunrinboye, is set to join the Ondo governorship race on the platform of the ruling party. The Owo, Ondo north-born Senator is an ally of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He is also an in law of late Chief  Michael Ajasin, the first civilian Governor of old Ondo State, under whom he started his political career. Sources say he will publicly flag off his aspiration upon completion of ongoing consultations with party elders and constituents.

  • Crisis in Ondo PDP over candidates’ lists

    Crisis in Ondo PDP over candidates’ lists

    A crisis may be looming in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State over which candidates’ lists should be recognised by the State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) for the April 23 local government poll.

    Clement Faboyede and Olu Ogunye are laying claim to the party’s chairmanship slot.

    At a briefing in Akure, the state capital, Ogunye said an Abuja court ruling in 2014 recognised him as the authentic chairman of the party.

    He said ODIEC would be committing illegality if it refused to recognise his candidates.

    His words: “While I and my executive committee are pleased to inform you that we have no issue with the date and the election, we wish to call the attention of the public to a clog that may stall the process of the election.

    “Upon the resignation of Ebenezer Alabi as the past state chairman and my subsequent election as his successor and a December 18, 2014 order of the Federal High Court which recognised me as the authentic PDP Chairman.

    “In our capacity as the official agents of the party, we have organised and conducted primaries for the chairmanship and councillorship aspirants using statutory delegates recognised by law.

    “We have submitted the list of candidates who won the primary election for the post of chairmanship and councillorship seats to ODIEC.”

    But the State Publicity Secretary, Banji Okuomo, said the Ogunye’s faction was “working in futility”.

    Okuomo said majority of the factional executive, including Ogunye, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He, however, said there is no contention for the chairmanship seat being occupied by Faboyede, adding that Ondo PDP is united.

  • Ondo PDP lawmaker’s election upheld

    Ondo PDP lawmaker’s election upheld

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday validated the decision of the election petition tribunal that upheld the election of the lawmaker representing Okitupupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Mike Omogbehin.

    Justice Muheed Owoade dismissed an appeal by Victor Akinmoyero of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failure to tender credible documentary evidence.

    Justice Owoade held that Akinmoyero only tendered “hearsay” evidence and also failed to call enough witnesses to prove his allegations of over-voting and other electoral irregularities in the March 28 election.

    The court said the PDP lawmaker was duly elected. It fined the appellant N30,000.

    APC’s counsel Tunji Abayomi expressed dismay over the verdict.

  • Ondo PDP gives Mimiko conditions

    Ondo PDP gives Mimiko conditions

    Ahead of Saturday’s  House of Assembly election in Ondo State, some aggrieved and old members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have set up a 25-man committee to meet with Governor Olusegun Mimiko and table the conditions for which they can  work for the success of the party’s candidates.

    The old members  arrived at the conditions at a meeting at the  Secretariat in Owo Local Government.

    They want Mimiko to involve them in all activities of the party, give them separate mobilisation funds  and he must deal directly with members of the committee.

    The meeting, chaired by  Hon. Femi Adekanmbi blamed the  party’s woeful performance in the last Presidential and National Assembly polls on imposition of candidates by Mimiko.

    He noted that during the process  leading to the elections, old members were marginalised. They were not  mobilised with  fund.

    Adekanmbi said: “We took some resolutions in the meeting, some said we should go and join APC, others said we should remain in PDP and give the governor conditions that he must recognise old PDP and a committee has been set up to meet with the governor and come out with decisions on the way forward.

    “We are going to inform the governor personally that if he wants us to remain in PDP, the old members must be respected and carry along in all activities of the party. The people also said they must be mobilised with fund separately from that of new members and that if the governor wants his candidates to win, he  must not deal with anybody except the committee set up by them.

    “If the governor fails to meet the conditions given, he should be expecting another woeful performance from the party. As at now, series of meetings are going on by leaders of old PDP members in the state, but someone like me, I refused to attend but I prefer to hold a meeting with my people in my primary constituency which is Owo and Ose.

    “It is unfortunate that Governor Mimiko allowed things to degenerate to this level. But he has realised this issue but what do we do, we must move on. I pray things can still be redeemable, otherwise, I have my fear. Imposition of candidate caused Jonathan the chance to lose Owo, take for instance in Owo, he went to impose somebody that was not popular.“

    “They pleaded to him that he should change the candidates but he insisted that he will win and I think the people showed to Mimiko that he is not God. Imposition of candidate and the other one is finance, these are the things that work against PDP. Nobody among the old has money to work with. They only used the token I gave them and the one from senator Bode Olajumoke which was his own personal money to work on that day.

    “It is so sad that how can President Goodluck Jonathan brought billions of naira to Ondo State and old PDP in Owo and Ose do not have a dame from the money. It was only the new PDP who sat on them and no one naira was disbursed for the old PDP members. So that was where the failure came from. If the governor can fulfill the condition fine, but if not, the APC here we come”

     

  • Ondo PDP demands screening committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has urged its National Secretariat to send a fresh committee to screen aspirants into the House of Assembly.
    A statement by the Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, said: “The national secretariat sent a screening committee to screen aspirants for the House of Assembly election, but sooner did they arrive in the state than Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his agents took them out of circulation and compromised them.
    “As expected, their report disqualified all original members of the party.
    The appeal Committee came after the screening committee had been taken out of circulation with a view to ratifying the injustice it perpetrated.
    “This attitude is cheap and designed to remove from contention all those who have contributed immensely to the growth of the party to favour his cronies who defected with him into the PDP.
    “We hereby call on the national secretariat to cancel the reports of the two committees and send new people to Ondo State to screen our aspirants in the interest of the party.”