Factional National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has vowed not to lobby the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the party’s candidate for the November 26 Ondo State governorship election.
Sheriff stated this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Inuwa Bwala in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the clarification was important against the widespread speculations linking Sheriff with controversies surrounding the emerges of two PDP candidates for the election.
While Senator Ahmed led-National Caretaker Committee submitted the name of Mr Eyitayo Jegede to INEC, the Sheriff-led faction also submitted to the commission the name of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate for the election.
He said that as a law abiding leader, Sheriff was bound by whoever INEC publishes as both candidates in contention were respectable members of the PDP.
Sheriff pledged that he would treat their issues based on merits and in accordance with the law.
He further dismissed insinuations that he was behind several petitions against INEC.
He said 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.
“This is to avoid past experiences occasioned by internal bickering in the PDP.’’
He assured the people of Ondo State that PDP leaders have been working to ensure that the party wins in the forthcoming elections, “immaterial of who fly’s its flag.’’
Sheriff said he was not aware of any alleged move to blackmail INEC because he had high regards for the commission.
He, however, urged INEC to ensure that the PDP was not short changed in any future election, but should allow the people’s votes to count.
Sheriff denied authoring or authorising any petition to be written on his behalf as was being mischievously alleged in some sections of the media.
He warned that people should stop using his name to settle scores.
