INEC list: Protesters shut down Akure; Jegede urges supporters to remain calm

Akure, the Ondo State capital, was on Friday shut down by protesters.
The angry residents were protesting the listing of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 26 election instead of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede.
The popular Oba Adesida/Oyemekun Road was a no-go area as the smoke of burning tyres could be seen from several miles away.
All the entrances into the capital – Ondo Road, Ilesa Road, Owo Road – were also shut down.
Banks and other corporate organisations were closed.
Students and teachers stayed away from schools while all government offices were deserted.
The protest started as early as 6:30am and passengers had to alight from taxis and buses due to burnt tyres and debris on roads.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command has assured the residents of Akure of their safety.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Femi Joseph, said the police were committed to the protection of lives and property.
Joseph enjoined the people to keep calm as normalcy would soon be restored, adding that the command had dispatched officer and men to the scene of protests on Oba Adesida Road.
“We are aware and our men are on their way to the scene, I will speak with you more later as the incident develops.
“We are trying to coordinate our men so that the incident will not escalate,” he said.
In his reaction, Jegede urged his supporters to remain calm, saying he is exploring legal options on his candidacy.
Jegede, in a statement in Akure by his spokesperson, Mr Fasua Kayode, said he had gone to the Court of Appeal to upturn the decision.
He expressed optimism that justice would be done in the end, and urged his suporters to remain calm and steadfast in the struggle.
Jegede assured that he would not, for any reason, jettison the mandate freely given to him by the generality of PDP members in the state.
“Eyitayo Jegede, your son and brother, has not in any way abdicated the general consent given to him by the law-abiding members of the PDP to seek election into the office of the Governor.
“Like I have always said, I am guided by the Almighty and the shared vision to transform this state to a land of wealth and prosperity.
“You remain my priority as we, in faith, match on to the Promised Land,” he stated.