The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it is insisting that Mr Ladi Adebutu remains its governorship candidate in Ogun State.
In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, it reiterated that Senator Buruji Kashamu cannot be its candidate in the March 2 election.
The opposition party cautioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to insulate the electoral body from what it described as unnecessary controversies.
It asked the INEC to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal of December 18, 2018, and reflect Adebutu’s name on the ballot to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful election in the state.
The PDP said, “The PDP states that Honourable Ladi Adebutu’s name was duly and statutorily submitted to INEC after he won the governorship primary conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC), the only body empowered by law to conduct such primaries.
“The PDP has not substituted his nomination with anybody, and such is not in our contemplation.”
“The PDP charges the INEC Chairman to note that since the ruling of the Court of Appeal validating Honourable Ladi Adebutu as the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun state, no other court, not even the Supreme Court has overturned that extant ruling,” it claimed.
“INEC is therefore compelled to obey the law. It cannot choose for itself which judgment to obey and cannot operate in waiting, anticipation or contemplation of a non-existent consideration in the conduct of the Ogun governorship election.”
The party, therefore, urged all Nigerians, particularly its supporters in Ogun to completely disregard Senator Kashamu and others whom it alleged were trying to create a false impression on the issue.
It insisted that the senator cannot be its governorship candidate, stressing that he is not a member of the party.
The PDP added that Senator Kashamu did not participate in its governorship primary and has no connection whatsoever in its governorship nomination process at any level.
“INEC cannot go to the streets to pick a candidate for our party,” it said.
“It must, therefore, in compliance with the extant judgment of the Court of Appeal, immediately reflect Ladi Adebutu’s name in the ballot.”
The opposition warned the electoral commission that anything short of its demand would amount to concluding that INEC has become compromised to cause confusion in the state.
It appreciated the people of Ogun for their support for Adebutu with an assurance that he would not disappoint them.
