…As police, Deji of Akure warn against violence
From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
LOYALISTS of the governorship candidate of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), yesterday, marched round major streets in Akure, the state capital, to protest against the recognition of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party as the authentic candidate of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protesters condemned INEC’s decision, calling for a reversal of the action. They marched from the PDP state secretariat located on Ijapo road to the palace of the Deji of Akure where their leader, Mr Clement Faboyede, addressed a mammoth crowd of party faithful and sympathisers.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has warned against protests in any part of the state ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, the Command threatened to deal decisively with any individual who violates the law.
Faboyede, who is the state chairman of the Makarfi faction of the PDP, insisted that INEC’s decision would not stand as his faction had already appealed against the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered INEC to recognise Ibrahim as the party’s candidate.
Also, the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, has cautioned politicians against taking actions that could cause violence in his domain.
The monarch, who pleaded with aggrieved politicians not to take laws into their hands, enjoined them to maximise all legal means to settle their differences.
INEC had last Thursday announced Ibrahim as the authentic candidate of the PDP for the November 26 gubernatorial election in the state. The electoral body had said it relied on the judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court delivered on October 14, 2016.
The protesters, however, vowed to continue with the action until INEC reversed its decision and give recognition to Jegede, who they said won the primary election supervised by INEC officials in Akure.
But warning against protests in the state, the PPRO said: “In view of the recent decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in respect of the issue of candidacy of one of the political parties in the state, the Ondo State Police Command is hereby appealing to those who might feel aggrieved by the decision to explore available legal means in expressing their grievances.
“Consequently, the Command advises against bonfire, causing obstruction on the highway and harassment of other road users as a way of protesting against any decision. The Command once again promises the good people of Ondo State adequate security before, during and after the election.”