The factional group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that Eyitayo Jegede remain the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Ondo State despite a Federal High Court overturning his candidature.
The party said the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Okon Abang asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Jimoh Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State cannot hold.
Clement Faboyede, the embattled State Chairman of the PDP, disclosed this in Akure to journalists on Friday shortly after receiving the news of the judgment delivered by Justice Okon Bang.
"I want to make it clear that nothing has changed in the gubernatorial candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State and that candidate is Eyitayo Jegede", he said
Faboyede explained that Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, who has been laying claims to the membership of the PDP, has since left for the relatively unknown Accord Party (AP) in the State.
"I want to make it abundantly clear that Jimoh Ibrahim is not a member of the PDP in Ondo State.
"On different occasions I have made it clear that he (Jimoh Ibrahim) belongs to the Accord Party (AP) in Ondo state".
He also affirmed that Mr. Jegede emerged as the real candidate of the PDP in Ondo state in accordance with the law and due process of the party's constitution.
He maintained that the National Working Committee had already submitted Mr. Jegede's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for publication.
"By the PDP's constitution, it is the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the party that can submit the name of the candidate of the party to INEC.
"And the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has submitted the name of Eyitayo Jegede to INEC and his name has been duly published.
"Nobody can go through the back door and obtained any jankara judgment to truncate the will and wishes of the good people of Ondo State.
"So, it is just a distraction and that would not work, let our people continue with their campaigns from the unit, ward, local government and the state" Mr. Faboyede declared.
