PDP Faction Rejects Jimoh Ibrahim’s Candidacy, Says INEC Is Biased

The Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) has rejected Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate for the Ondo
governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on
Thursday, October 27, 2016 named Ibrahim the party’s flag-bearer for the election in
its final list of approved candidates.

The Commission said it recognised Ibrahim over Eyitayo
Jegede who was presented by the Makarfi faction based on a Federal High Court
ruling of October 14 presided over by Justice Okon Abang.

But the faction condemned INEC’s move, describing it as
biased.

The Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mr. Banji Okunomo,
said the commission declared Ibrahim as the party’s candidate despite a court
order restraining it.

A High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State had on Wednesday,
October 26, 2016 issued a restraining order against INEC from recognising Ibrahim as
the PDP candidate.

“That is INEC‘s candidate and not PDP’s candidate and
it is unfortunate that the INEC that is supposed to be an unbiased electoral
umpire has allowed itself to be used by those whose intention is to truncate the
nascent democracy we have in this country,” he said.

Reacting to INEC’s declaration, Sheriff said it is victory
for the rule of law.

He urged Jegede and his supporters to work with Ibrahim to
win the election, pointing that they both belong to the same party.