Ondo PDP Crisis: INEC Decision Is A Coup Against Democracy – Eyitayo Campaign group

Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organization has described the replacement of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name on the Voters Register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State as a coup against democracy.

The organisation said it was surprised that INEC which ought to be an independent body oof government was forced by the “power to be” to announced Mr. Ibrahim’s name as the gubernatorial candidate of the umbrella party.

Kunle Ijalana, Director of Legal Service of Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organization spoke on Friday with journalists in Akure and alleged that the electoral body must have been compromised by some cabals.

“This institution was arm-twisted and force to do the work of the cabal in the presidency by abdicating the tenet of democracy and the principle of Rule of Law.

“And by deviating from the position of the Supreme Court, that only the National Executive Committee of a political party is empowered to submit nominee for elective position” he told reporters in Akure.

Justice Abang had ordered the electoral body to replace Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for November 26th 2016 Ondo State governorship poll.

Mr. Ijalana explained that the same Justice of the “revered court” grant an order to enforce the said judgment against Mr. Eyitayo Jegede who was never a party to the suit.

“And on the other hand, made the judgment a gift to another by making Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim a beneficiary of the reliefs in a suit he was never a party to thereby reaping from where he never sowed, a concept alien to our legal jurisprudence”

Mr. Ijalana warned the presidency to avoid a repetition of the 1983 election violence which trusted the dispensation of the 2nd republic in Ondo state where many lives and properties were lost and destroyed.

He, however, appealed to the main supporters of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede and members of the PDP in the state to remain law abiding and avoid violence in the state ahead of the November Poll.

“Eyitayo Jegede is God chosen; the project is God’s project, meant to turn around for good, the socio-political and economic development of Ondo state. Nobody, I repeat, nobody can change the will of God.

“However, we wish to use this medium to warn the enemies of progress, distractors and their cronies in the APC and by extension, the presidency that Ondo State is distinct and different from all other states in the Federation” he said.

According to him, there can never be a credible election in Ondo state without Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added that the people of the state have demonstrated that justice is the only foundation in sustaining peace and should never be compromised by any person using the veto power of the presidency.

“It is our believe that Mr. President as a statesman loves Nigeria, he must at this point stands in the defense of justice, more above a mere politician.

“And must remember that his (Buhari) election was made possible because INEC as an independent institution was a true umpire and was never interfered with by the then Government therefore he must do all things possible to allow democratic tenet to prevail” Mr. Ijalana added.