Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has vowed that the substitution of the name of the PDP governorship flag bearer in Ondo State, Barrister Eyitayo Jegede will not stand.
Governor Mimiko, who was speaking at the government house with journalists in Akure said what happened with that substitution was a contrived conspiracy because the decision of INEC cannot find comfort in justice, in principle, in law and in morality.
He said redress has been sought by the candidate Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP and major stakeholders, with the assurance that justice will be done because the impunity will not stand.
Dr. Mimiko observed that the contraption remains a bizarre development in the politics of Nigeria and particularly in the polity of Ondo State, noting that it is something without precedence in polity.
The Governor, however thanked the people of the state for their matured action and attitude of not resulting to self-help and violence even in the face of the unwarranted provocation unleashed through the back door.
“You have comported yourself in very commendable way, your peaceful but rugged and persistent resistance in the last three and half weeks would go down in record as the new Ondo State.
“Ordinarily, in many climes there could have been violence, uprising but in this state the people made it clear that the peace which had been enjoyed in the last seven and half years will not be truncated,” he said.
The Governor again appealed that the people must keep the peace which God has enabled his administration to emplace.
Governor Mimiko debunked insinuations that he went to see President Buhari as a prelude to crossing over to the APC or any other political party.
According to him, “I had to see the President in my capacity as the Chief Security Officer in Ondo State briefing the Chief Security Officer of the country on the need to allow justice to prevail,” he said, pointing out that Mr President gave his commitment to ensure that justice is done.
“I have no course to doubt him,” he said.
The Governor took time to assure the people that he would continue to lubricate the oil of governance more vigorously by working for the people till his last day in office.
He appealed for continued support assuring that Mr Eyitayo Jegede will certainly emerge as the next Governor.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 27 replaced the name of Eyitayo Jegede of the Makarfi faction of the PDP with that of Jimoh ibrahim who belongs to the Sheriff faction, acting on the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered by Justice Okon Abang.
