The Ali Modu Sheriff-led Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim has reacted to the court of appeal judgement ordering his removal from the INEC list for the Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo state.
According to Ibrahim in a statement, he is heading to the Supreme Court to get justice, saying that there was no way the incumbent Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, would succeed himself by planting Jegede as his successor.
Ibrahim said he had read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on Wednesday and that he had nothing to lose, as the Supreme Court sits on the same case tomorrow.
“We shall get justice at the Supreme Court and if PDP wins Saturday election, we shall have our four-year mandate to rule Ondo State,” he said.
He advised his supporters not to abuse anyone or fight over the ruling as Mimiko would not succeed himself with Jegede, adding that, “This is too sure”.
Ibrahim said, “we continue with our work and remain in our great party, PDP. I love the great people of Ondo state and I thank you all for continuous support.”
It will be noted that the Court of Appeal panel, led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, on Wednesday, set aside the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate in the Ondo gubernatorial poll.
INEC Secretary, Mr Agusta Ogakwu said that the decision of the Commission was in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal over the party’s candidate tussle for Ondo governorship election.
“It will be recalled that in compliance with the Order given by the Federal High Court Abuja Division on Oct. 14 (re-affirmed on Oct. 27), the commission recognised Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the governorship election.
“However, with today‘s judgment by the Court of Appeal, the commission hereby replaces it with Mr Jegede as the candidate of the PDP for the said election,” Ogakwu said.
