The candidate of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jimoh Ibrahim, has reacted to Wednesday’s Appeal Court ruling sacking him as the party’s candidate in Saturday’s Ondo governorship election.
The Court of Appeal replaced Mr. Ibrahim with Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party.
But Mr. Ibrahim said he was certain of getting justice at the Supreme Court.
Mr. Ibrahim accused the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, of paying for the judgment with the state treasury.
“I have read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered today.
“We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court sits on the same case tomorrow.
“We shall get justice at the Supreme Court and if PDP wins Saturday election we shall have our four years mandate to rule Ondo State,’’ Mr. Ibrahim said.
Meanwhile, the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction has commended the Court of Appeal for its judgment.
Dayo Adeyeye, the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, said the judgment was proof that what transpired at the lower court was miscarriage of justice.
Mr. Adeyeye made the remark in a statement on Tuesday.
The Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa on Tuesday set aside the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate in the Ondo state guber poll.
The Appeal Court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Mr. Ibrahim’s name with Eyitayo Jegede.
Mr. Adeyeye said the party appreciated the Nigerian judiciary for “standing behind truth as it affects the attempt by enemies within working in consonance with some jittery and desperate opposition members.’’
He said the aim of the enemies of the party was to thwart PDP’s participation in the Ondo State governorship election.
Mr. Adeyeye said the judgments delivered by the Supreme Court and that of the Court of Appeal had rekindled the hope of the common man in the judiciary.
He said: “This shows that justice might be delayed, but will surely come provided the oppressed refuse to give up on his rights.
“The judgment delivered by the Justice Salauwa-led Appeal Court Panel which returned the validly elected candidate of our party, to his rightful place was expected.
“It was expected because we were sure that the travesty of justice carried out at the lower court will in any sane society, not stand the test of time.’’
Mr. Adeyeye added that it was gratifying to note that all the seven issues before the Appeal panel as relates to the illegal substitution of the factions’ candidate, were decided in favour of Mr. Jegede.
“This goes to prove that what transpired at the lower court was a miscarriage of justice.”
Mr. Adeyeye expressed hope that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would toe the line of the Court of Appeal by postponing the Saturday election by a minimum of two weeks.
He said the postponement would allow the faction’s candidate to inform the people of the state his programmes for them through campaigns.
