Ondo 2016: The Independent National Electoral Commission, lNEC, has replaced the name of Jimoh Ibrahim with that of Eyitayo Jegede as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Ondo governorship election, scheduled for Saturday.
A statement signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Agusta Ogakwu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that INEC’s decision is in line with the judgment of the Appeal Court which ordered it to replace Mr. Ibrahim’s name with Mr. Jegede as PDP candidate for Saturday’s election.
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 gubernatorial poll.
Mr. Ogakwu said the decision of the Commission was in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal over the party’s candidate tussle for Ondo governorship election.
“It will be recalled that in compliance with the Order given by the Federal High Court Abuja Division on October 14 (re-affirmed on October 27), the commission recognised Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the governorship election.
“However, with today‘s judgment by the Court of Appeal, the commission hereby replaces Mr Jegede as the candidate of the PDP for the said election,” Ogakwu said.
She urged the people of Ondo to come out and exercise their franchise on November 26, in a peaceful manner .
“All the political parties and their candidates participating in the election are also enjoined to play by the rules and cooperate with INEC to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.”
