The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has charged aggrieved members who felt cheated during the last primaries conducted in the state to seek judicial process.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP said this at a Press Conference held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Ogun State PDP Chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele said going to court doesn’t mean that the aspirant is challenging the party, but he or she is only seeking more clarification of the process.
Flag Bearer
Ogundele explained that having complied with party regulations in the conduct of the primary elections in the state, Ladi Adebutu remains the party flag bearer for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
The Chairman, who was represented by the party secretary, Sunday Solarin said any aggrieved aspirants could approach the court.
“PDP, like I said earlier, now cohabit, in total harmony under my able chairmanship.
“You would recall that in strict compliance with the Party’s electoral guidelines which are also in line with the electoral laws (as amended), the national office of our great party approved a timetable for the democratic conduct of all the primaries to source for party candidates for all elective positions as the 2023 general elections build up.
“On the directive of the national headquarters of our party, the party conducted its primary elections, from the State House of Assembly all through to the gubernatorial primary, which was held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, as approved by the National Office on May 25, 2022,” he stated.
This primaries produced only one candidate for the party, and that is Honourable (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, who emerged with 714 votes.
“On the strength of the above, I dare say that all party primary elections took place at the party’s approved locations/venues and same was duly monitored and observed by officials of the INEC, officers of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
“By this, it goes to say and confirm that PDP in Ogun State never conducted anything close to parallel congress anywhere. Anybody or group of persons hiding anywhere, claiming to have emerged as a PDP candidate at any level of the party primary is merely living in a fool’s paradise.
“We must say that we recognise and appreciate an individual’s right and liberty to proceed to court to seek legal redress against the party, I choose to advise them to take good cognisance of the interest of the party.
“Having concluded the party’s robust national convention, the party shall, in no time, present to the members of the public the list with detailed particulars and information of all its candidates for all elective positions and same shall be submitted to INEC and other relevant bodies for further actions,” he stated.
It will be recalled that two gubernatorial aspirants, Segun Sowunmi and Ladi Adebutu emerged during the PDP primaries held in different venues in the State.
Lateefah Ibrahim
