Martins Ifijeh
The senator representing Ogun East senatorial district of Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised list containing the names of Prince Leke Shitu and Dr. Rueben Abati as the Ogun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively, while a former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel, will be representing Ogun East as its senatorial candidate for the 2019 elections in the state
This was following INEC’s recognition of the Bayo Dayo-led executive committee of the PDP as authentic executive in the state.
In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, and signed by Kashamu, it said other candidates on the list of the state executives, including other senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly seats were equally accepted and duly acknowledged by the electoral commission.
He said: “Any rumours being peddled around by our national chairman and national publicity secretary through a purported press release should be disregarded as the duo are deliberately acting unlawfully and beyond their powers to which they’ve refused wise counsel to tow the path of rule of law.
“The guarantee of our democracy under established regulations and rule of law is that no party official, no matter how highly placed could use the office for selfish preservation/promotion of his own interests and legacy at the detriment of the interests and legacy of other party members. This resolve to act with unchecked impunity shall be fully resisted in a fight to finish battle to strengthen our party’s internal democracy.”
He said ignorantly, the national chairman was unaware that where there is dispute resulting into a judicial resolution as in Ogun State matter, the state chairman and secretary could sign in place of national chairman and secretary when backed by validly subsisting court judgments.
“Whatever makes our chairman to be this resolute at challenging the constituted electoral regulatory body, INEC and also dwelling in nauseating impunity against Nigerian court judgments out of unexplainable desperation to install Ladi Adebutu as PDP Ogun governorship candidate should as well have forced him to create his own INEC and conduct elections inside his office. The PDP as a Nigerian creation by law is for all Nigerians by established regulations and National statue; nobody can as such intimidate us in our democracy,” he added.
The senator said all state elders, leaders and party faithful were again enjoined to remain focused on the ongoing aggressive mobilisation and reconciliation efforts of the party.
