Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, the court recognized candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has also joined vthose calling for the postponement of the Saturday governorship election in Ondo state.
Mr. Jegede who spoke on a live radio [94.5 Fm] program on Thursday said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied him his rights as a recognized candidate of the PDP for the election.
He explained the court judgment of the Appeal Court had already recognized him as the candidate of the PDP for the Saturday poll wondering why INEC was in a hurry to go ahead with the election when he needed more time to partake in the election.
“My party (PDP) has written to inform INEC on what is needed to be done in line with the provision of the law, but they have not replied the letter.
“It is now a common knowledge that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment of the 23rd of November 2016 set aside the ruling of Justice Okon Abang and in effect recognized me as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party” he added.
Mr. Jegede had earlier in the day stormed the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] to demand the immediate postponement of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.
He disclosed that his demand for the postponement of the election was in line with the electoral laws of the federation and asked the electoral body to avoid being compromised and biased.
The PDP candidate also alleged that INEC has refused to recognize the party’s polling agents forwarded to the commission.
He added that he had not been granted the list of registered voters would be used for the Saturday governorship poll as stipulated by law.
“Section 45(1) of the Electoral Act enjoins each political party to forward the names of its agents in each of the Polling Units to the Commission at least 7 days before the day of the election.
“We also refer to Section 74 of the Act which provides for every results sheet to be countersigned by polling agents”, he added.
Mr. Jegede begged the commission to shift the date of the poll to allow him campaign and to be allowed to enjoy the same privileges accorded other politicians contesting the election.
“It has become mandatory for the Commission to publish a fresh list of candidates to reflect the current position.
“In doing this, the Commission must give effect to the 30 days prescribed by section 34 of the Electoral Act,” Mr. Jegede said.
However, the Resident Commissioner in the state, Segun Agbaje had earlier told some journalists that there is no going back on the Saturday governorship election.
Mr. Agbaje said the commission had already distributed the sensitive materials for the governorship election.
“We have prepared well for the election, the sensitive materials have already out and to postpone the election will cost the Commission a lot of money.
“We are going to conduct this election on Saturday. So, there is no going back because it is not the fault of the commission that parties have intra-party crisis” the REC said.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS
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