From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has finally endorsed the candidature of Chief Olusola Oke.
The development has thus ended the legal tussle occasioned by Oke’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the November 26 poll in the state.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief Joseph Avazi who spoke at the official flag off of the gubernatorial campaign of Oke in Akure yesterday said the crisis within the party has been resolved amicably.
Avazi who presented the party’s flag to Oke at the ceremony said all matters relating to his candidature have also been withdrawn from the court, stressing that Oke now has the backing of all the leaders and members of the party across the country.
He said: “there are no more crises at any level in the AD. We are now united and we are working together for the success of our great party.
All internal wrangling have been resolved and the party is waxing stronger.”
Also, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Chief Yemi Kehinde who instituted a case against Oke said he has withdrawn the matter from court and was ready to work for the victory of Oke in the forthcoming election. He explained that he dragged Oke before the court based on his unjust entry into the party, adding however that the matter has been finally resolved.
He maintained that the leadership of the party has concluded arrangements to work for the success of Oke in the election, and called on all true lovers of democracy in the country to support the AD, which he called the oldest political party in the country.
Speaking, former National Chairman of the AD, Chief Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa said the Yoruba race was in disarray for 13 years that the AD was in crisis, pointing out that the resuscitation of AD would bring lasting peace to the Yoruba nation and the country at l
He declared that the AD would take over the reins of government from the present administration in the state, saying that the two other major political parties in the state are currently in serious crisis.
Injustice has boosted Jegede’s popularity – Mimiko
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has declared that the passion of the people of the state for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi faction, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) is becoming higher as a result of the injustice done to him temporarily, by removing his name from the INEC list.
He said the recent crisis in the state is a battle of the Lord and has been taken care of by God himself. “Despite the little challenges because of people who want to short-change the people of Ondo State who don’t know what the people of Ondo State want, the passion for the man they wanted to remove his name from the ballot paper is growing up the more.”
Governor Mimiko thanked the religious people in the state for their persistent prayers for the peace that is existing in the state.
In the same vein, former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Mr Jegede has said that he is very close to retrieving his mandate using the instrumentality of the rule of law.
Jegede who dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen also expressed confidence in the ability of the judiciary to correct all manipulations of his candidacy by those opposed to democracy.
He said: “I again reiterate that I am absolutely committed to the rule of law; 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 move on. There is no looking back, we are here because we have the interest of the people at heart.” He thanked the people for always standing by him through thick and thin, restating his optimism of partaking and winning this month’s governorship election.
“I remain indebted to the wonderful people of Ondo State who have always remained steadfast with us knowing full well that this is one project that will succeed no matter the volume of opposition from any quarter,” he stated.
Jegede also appealed to his supporters to intensify their campaigns across the nook and crannies of the state.
Sheriff presents PDP flag to Ibrahim
Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has presented the party’s flag for the November 26 election to Mr Jimoh Ibrahim.
Sheriff assured that the PDP shall win the election, saying the party has no other candidate for the election apart from Ibrahim.
Ibrahim was declared the candidate of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the order of an Abuja Federal High Court.
Although the candidate of Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede had approached the Appeal court to challenge the action of INEC, Sheriff assured that Ibrahim will represent the party in the coming election.
Sheriff who presented the flag of the party to Ibrahim during the campaign rally organised by his faction of the party in Ore, Odigbo local government area of the state said Jegede can never win the legal tussle he instituted.
He charged members of the party to work harder and ensure that the party’s standard bearer wins the election.
“Today is the beginning of the journey and on November 23, I will come and close the journey at the grand finale,” he said.
Make sure you vote for the PDP, vote for Jimoh Ibrahim,” he stated.
Ibrahim while addressing his supporters at the rally said if elected, he would positively transform Ondo from the state of hopelessness, poverty and injustice.
He promised to uplift the standard of education of the state and give better recognition to traditional rulers in the state.
He added that the abandoned Olokola Free Trade Zone would be revived by his administration if elected.
