Jimoh Ibrahim's name missing on INEC's 'final' list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of the candidates participating in the Ondo governorship election, and billionaire Jimoh Ibrahim's name is conspicuously missing.

On the list, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) is seen as the flag-bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP had produced two candidates, who emerged from separate primary elections, due to the leadership crisis that has torn the party apart.

Ibrahim's name had been submitted to INEC by the factional chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff as the party's legitimate candidate for the election while the caretaker committee led by Ahmed Makarfi also submitted Jegede's name.

Last week, a Federal High Court ordered INEC to recognise Ibrahim as the PDP candidate in the election.

But according to a list of 28 candidates dated September 22 and recently updated on INEC website, Ibrahim's name is nowhere on the document.

However, it was gathered that the Commission is  still consulting with its lawyers on the development.

Ibrahim had on Monday accused an INEC official of demanding $1 million bribe from him, the claim which has since been denied by the Commission.

Similarly, Chief Olusola Oke, who defected to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) after the controversial APC primaries also suffers similar fate as Ibrahim.

On the list, the AD candidate, Mr Akin Enoch Zerubabel Olowookere and his 72-year old running mate, Yahaya Ipinloju are jointly number 4.