BEVERLY HILLS, October 26, (THEWILL) – An Akure High Court has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from substituting or replacing the name of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 26 governorship election in the state.
Justice W R Olamide, in his ruling on the suit filed by the factional State Chairman of the PDP, Clement Faboyede, said it would be out of order for INEC to replace or substitute Jegede’s name because it will contravene the principles of equity, justice and fairness.
“It is hereby ordered as prayed. The defendant is hereby restrained either by itself, Chairman, Commissioners, agents and servants, officers or privies or through any person or persons, however from changing, replacing, removing, substituting or in any manner tampering with the name of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the governorship candidate in the governorship election slated for November 26, 2016 pending the determination of motion on notice,” he ruled.
In a similar ruling, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi also granted Hon. Bamiduro Dada an order restraining INEC and its agents from recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate in the governorship election.
Kumuyi further granted an injunction restraining Ibrahim from parading himself as the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the coming election following a suit by Dada who contested the primary election organised by the Senator Alli Modu Sherif faction of the PDP in Ibadan claiming that the shadow election held in Ibadan was a fraud.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Hilda Harrison has revealed that about 24,000 Police Officers from various Police commands in the country will be deployed to Ondo State for the November 26 governorship election in the state.
She said the Police Officers who will be deployed from various Police commands including the force headquarters would be deployed to all the nooks and crannies of the state days before the election to prevent pre-election crisis in all parts of the state.
The Police Commissioner who supervised the signing of peace pact among all the political parties contesting the election, urged all the parties to abide by the agreement to ensure peace in the state before, during and after the poll.
She also assured all political parties of the total co-operation of the Police before, during and after the election.
Story by Oputah David
