…Urges Buhari To Ensure Justice
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George on Sunday added his voice to the raging fuss over Ondo Governorship election, calling on President Mohammadu Buhari to ensure justice is done in the case.
The decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Eyitayo Jegede’s name with Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP’s candidate for the November 26 governorship election has been generating crisis in the state.
Adding his voice, George said the INEC’s decision to recognize Ibrahim as PDP’s candidate is “perhaps one of the most unsavory and disturbing interventions in our political space since the dawn of democracy”.
According to him, “The decision is not only wrong, it is an inexcusable assault upon justice, fairness and morality”.
He appealed to the President, “as an officer and a gentleman, to ensure justice invariably prevails in Ondo state”.
He said though the case is now before the appellate court, the body language of Buhari was imperative “in ensuring the preservation of our democratic tenets”.
George, who was a PDP chairmanship candidate, pointed out that Ibrahim is not a bonafide PDP member in Ondo State, saying he imposed himself as the candidate.
The PDP chieftain who was a Military governor of the state called on Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the people of the state to remain calm, saying justice would be done.
He said, “By all measures of equity and appropriateness, Jimoh Ibrahim cannot claim to be the bonafide candidate of our party in Ondo state.
“Even Ibrahim card carrying membership in PDP is Ibrahim went to an hotel room in Oyo state and declared himself a candidate of an election that will decide who will govern Ondo state! What a travesty of rationality.
“Meanwhile everyone, including INEC and all the law enforcement agencies, witnessed the well televised Ondo state gubernatorial primary which produced Barrister Eyitayo Jegede as the lawful PDP candidate. Now why upset the apple-cart?
“Ondo state had been peaceful, calm, without any hitches. The Justice Okon Abang ruling which had forced the hands of INEC has now created tension and deep- seated uncertainties everywhere”.
He reiterated that justice should not only be done in the case, “it must be carried out swiftly to convince our people that truth and fairness are the most crucial ingredients of democracy”.
George added, “We cannot stand by and be indifferent when injustice is being committed. Our judges must at all times refrain from arbitrary rulings that can plunge our democracy into the abyss. Justice must prevail in Ondo state. Decency and fair play must determine the outcome of the appellate ruling.
“I appeal to my brother, the governor of Ondo state Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the good people of Ondo state whom I was privileged to govern about 30 years ago to keep the peace and maintain civility even in the face of this unbridled provocation. I know that this injustice will not endure. This darkness will pass. Justice, truth and common sense will eventually triumph over arbitrariness”.