The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the reinstatement of Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
This follows the judgement delivered on Wednesday by the Appeal Court panel led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa.
The Panel set aside the judgement of Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court, Abuja, which ordered INEC to deal with Ali Modu-Sheriff as the authentic PDP National Chairman, as well as to recognize Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State.
Justice Salauwa also dismissed all the objections filed by Biyi Poroye, the Ondo State chairman of the Modu-Sheriff-led faction of the PDP.
In a statement signed by INEC Secretary, Augusta Ogakwu, late Wednesday, the commission stated that it was reinstating Jegede “in compliance with the judgement delivered today, Wednesday, 23rd November 2016, by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.”
The Statement urged the people of Ondo State to come out on Saturday, November 26, to exercise their franchise 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 the commission to ensure smooth conduct of the election,” Ogakwu stated.
Meanwhile, ousted Ondo PDP governorship candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, saying that he is confident that the apex court will reinstate him.
He said: “I have read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered today. We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court seats on the same case tomorrow (today, Thursday).
“We shall get justice at the Supreme Court and if PDP wins Saturday’s election we shall have our four years’ mandate to rule Ondo State”.
He also advised his supporters not to “abuse anyone or fight over this one day ruling”, which he claimed was paid for from the state treasury.