Crisis hits Ondo PDP as court declares Jimoh Ibrahim governorship candidate

There was confusion among members and leaders of the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, following the judgement of Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja.
The judge had declared that former Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), was not qualified to be the candidate of the party for the November 26 election.
Businessman and publisher, Jimoh Ibrahim, was declared as the candidate.
According to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Wednesday October 12 was the last day for the submission of candidates’ names by parties for the election.
Supporters of Jegede were seen in Akure discussing the judgement and strategising on the way forward.
Some of them quickly rushed to the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.
Said a source: “It was like a war situation. What hit them was a bombshell. Several meetings were held in Akure and Abuja. Those in attendance started communicating with themselves on phones on the way forward. Eventually, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was ordered to file a stay of execution immediately at the Court of Appeal, which he did within hours.”
But, to Jimoh Ibrahim’s supporters, it was jubilation galore as many of them were seen in Akure, Ondo, Owo, Okitipupa, Ikare-Akoko and other towns in festive mood.
Ibrahim later told some of his supporters that he would fly the party’s flag on November 26.
The Governor Olusegun Mimiko faction of the state PDP later issued a statement, insisting that the candidate cannot be produced through the back door
It also called on its teeming members and supporters to disregard the purported judgement.
In a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Banji Okunomo, the PDP states that its governorship candidate can only emerge through a due process in consonance with the constitution of the party.
“The party believes that its governorship candidate can never be produced through the back door or some unconstitutional procedures.
“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has made it clear that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of a party could nominate the governorship candidate.
“This was done in the nomination of Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). As such, no High Court can invalidate or alter this position which is clearly defined by the highest ruling court in Nigeria.
“The PDP wishes to allay the fear of party members as appropriate steps are already being taken in this regard to quash the obnoxious and baseless ruling.
“Such judgement or ruling, if it ever existed, is appealable with expedition and for want of legal justification shall never stand. More so, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim who took the case to court is not a registered member of the PDP.
“Mr Jimoh Ibrahim is a verified non member of the PDP at any level- ward, local government or state, having openly defected to the Accord Party. His intention to destabilise the party can never be effectual.
“He would fail and is only working for some fifth columnists outside the PDP. The intention of Jimoh Ibrahim and his sponsors is to put Ondo State under subjugation.
“The PDP calls on its members and supporters to remain focused and steadfast. They should continue with the Eyitayo’s campaign which will be actualised.
“It is advisable that Jimoh Ibrahim emulates business moguls like Mike Adenuga and Aliko Dangote who have laboured to build their businesses and have today become a point of reference. Jimoh Ibrahim, rather than cause mischief in the PDP, should devise means of resuscitating his numerous failed businesses”.
But, the Ibrahim faction issued another statement, supporting the court judgement.
A statement by the Director of Media/Publicity, Yemi Akintomide, reads: “Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) wishes to congratulate the good people of our Sunshine State for witnessing, today the 14th of October, 2016 a victory for democracy, the triumph of truth over falsehood, Godliness over godfatherism and most importantly, the sweet beginning of a new dawn of development and good governance across the state.
“We also congratulate the authentic chairman of our great party in the state, Prince Poroye Biyi, for his doggedness, his non resistant fighting spirit and his stronghold to the tenet and dictate of the Almighty God in achieving this historic fate; a case of a little David killing the giant Goliath.
“We congratulate our ever vibrant and goal getting candidate, Chief (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR) for remaining steadfast and strong will in defending the people’s mandate freely given to him by over seven hundred delegates of our party at the primary held on the 29 of September, 2016.
“And to all our elders, leaders, members, loyalists, well-wishers and the good people of Ondo State in keeping faith with our party PDP, we thank you and solicit for your support for our candidate in the forthcoming governorship election for us to consolidate today’s victory when our candidate shall be elected the governor of the state.
“We salute our Judiciary, the last hope of common man, for enhancing our democracy, and rekindle our hope for better Nigeria through the instrumentality of law by correcting the wrong done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where Mr. Eyitayo Jegede was erroneously listed as PDP candidate in place of the rightful person, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR).
“As we have always been saying that as a political party and law abiding individuals, we believe in the court of law and the goodwill of the people of Ondo State not to resort to violence or any act capable of undermining our integrity as citizens of Nigeria but to always act on the best interest of our people, our state, Ondo and dear country Nigeria.
“It was a great joy for us that the court has ordered that “INEC shall accept for the conduct of Ondo State election only the nomination of Jimoh Ibrahim for Ondo State election for PDP.”
“We, therefore, urge the people of our Sunshine State to diligently await the home coming of our candidate and the man God Himself has ordained and appointed as the next governor of the state, where he shall visit every unit, ward and local government in an unprecedented campaign trail, preaching message of love, oneness, selfless service, developmental strides, human and infrastructural development, wealth creation, educational growth, economy buoyancy and giant stride in Agriculture. Congratulations, Sun shiners”.