Former Attorney General and Justice Commissioner in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), weekend, said he was “very close to retrieving his PDP governorship ticket from Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.
He is the candidate elected by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State while Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim was elected by the Alli Modu Sheriff-led faction. Due to the prevailing leadership tussles within the party which had so far had Alli Modu Sheriff laying claim by judgment of court to national chairmanship of PDP, an Abuja High Court ruled that Jimoh Ibrahim’s be listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as against Eyitayo Jegede earlier listed.
Speaking to his supports in Akure, he expressed confidence in the ability of the judiciary to correct “all manipulation of his candidacy by those opposed to democracy… I have submitted my grievances to the courts and despite the contrivance and manipulation by those who are opposed to democracy we have been vindicated at the first step and God willing we will continue to trudge on.”
He spoke as the PDP in Ondo State hailed the ruling of the special panel of the Court of Appeal constituted to hear matters concerning Eyitayo application saying he has the right to appeal the Justice Abang’s ruling.
There was jubilation in parts the state over the court ruling, weekend.
Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, who led the three man panel, had in his ruling granted Jegede the leave to appeal the judgment earlier given by an Abuja High Court.
The Publicity Secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP faction in Ondo State, Banji Okunomo, hailed the ruling, saying with the rulings, the party was close to 100 percent victory, adding that soon, everything would take its proper shape.
He noted that efforts were being made to ensure that the needful was done on time saying Jegede’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had already applied for an abridgement of time which was granted.
“Abridgement of time filed by counsel to Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was also granted to enable the court expeditiously conclude the appeal in view of the nature of the suit which is time bound. In view of this, the panel granted not more than 24 hours effective from today for all parties to file in their brief of arguments for adoption so that the final judgment can come thereafter,” he said.
The DEFENDER’s checks revealed that Eyitayo Jegede would have been a smooth sail victory to Alagbaka but the internal wranglings within the PDP. It was furthered found out that quite a number of Ondo State people had resolved to at least for once support an Akure as governor being, according to one of our sources, that, “The Akure have tried enough supporting every other zone to be governor. We just feel that it is now time for us to support an Akure to be there, which is the reason Eyitayo has our support. It is not about Eyitayo, it is about Akure and even it is you, we will vote for you so far you are an Akure,” a very highly placed Ijaw of Ondo State extraction told The DEFENDER in Ayede Ekiti at the weekend.
