Court declares Ibrahim Ondo PDP candidate

Mimiko, Jegede Head To Appeal Court

The Jimoh Ibrahim Campaign Organisation (JICO) has hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the name of Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State. This was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Akure yesterday by the Director of Communication and Publicity of the group, Mr. Sola Akinuli, saying Justice Okon Abang has upheld the principles of democracy and Rule of Law.

He added that the verdict, which nullified the candidature of the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s cabinet and the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction, is a testament to the sanctity of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

But the State Director Director of Publicity under the Makarfi faction, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, reiterated that Ibrahim is not a bona-fide member of the PDP. “The PDP calls on its members to continue to work for the Party vigorously as Eyitayo Jegede remains the party’s flag bearer,” he said.

Meanwhile, factional†Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has insisted that Jimoh Ibrahim remains the candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship election. Sheriff stated this in Abuja, while addressing newsmen on how far he and the party caretaker committee Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi had gone in the party reconciliation process. Recall that Makarfi-led committee had conducted a primary election in Ondo state where Eyitayo Jegede emerged as PDP governorship candidate.

But, fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Sheriff said, ìAs a party, we have taken our decision, we have chosen Jimoh Ibrahim as our candidate and whatever the law says we will follow it. We are products of the rule of law.î He said that the party was however awaiting the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the court on who becomes the partyís candidate.