INEC gives PDP factions Oct. 27 deadline to choose a candidate

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given the two factions in the Peoples Democratic Party October 27 ultimatum to decide on a candidate for the Ondo governorship election.

The embattled PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff had presented billionaire Jimoh Ibrahim to INEC as the party's candidate in the election, while the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee submitted the name of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the party's flag-bearer.

INEC, which earlier expressed confusion about the party's candidate to choose, said the commission will publish the list of candidates that will take part in the election on October 28.

The October 27 date was set aside for political parties to substitute candidates.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, October 19, during an interview with Punch.

He said INEC will not go back on the deadline, adding that the Commission is already studying the court judgment that ordered it to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the election.

Last Friday, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to remove the name of Eyitayo Jegede as the party’s candidate.

Oyekanmi said: "It is true that we have received the court judgment asking us to accept the name of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate for the Ondo State governorship election.

"We are a law-abiding institution. But we are still studying the judgment as the court paper had been sent to our legal department to study.

"But the party still has up until October 27 to sort itself out. October 27 is the last date set for political parties to substitute their candidates."

The Ondo State governorship election is scheduled in November 26, 2016.