‘Those who headed to the court and those who filed appeal petitions are only exercising their rights‘
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that he remains the official candidate of the party ahead of the July 16 poll, despite a court’s affirmation of Dotun Babayemi as the candidate of the party.
PDP had on Tuesday held parallel primaries leading to the emergence of Dotun Babayemi and Senator Ademola Adeleke from different elections.
An Osun High Court sitting in Ijebu-Jesa, however, affirmed Dotun Babayemi as the authentic gubernatorial candidate of the party.
A suit No:HIJ/6/2022, was instituted by Adedokun Ademola and 29 others against the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)
Presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, the Court in an Order of Mandatory Interim Injunction, averred that delegates that voted for Babayemi did so in compliance with the Court judgement of 22nd November 2021 and Order of Mandatory Interim Injunction of 3rd March 2022, affirming the 215 Wards Executive Officers elected then as the authentic and authorized Ward Executive Officers permitted to vote as delegates at the party governorship primaries.
Besides, the Court granted an Order of Mandatory Interim Injunction restraining the defendants/respondents from recognizing any other governorship primaries of the PDP in Osun State aside from the one that saw to the emergence of Babayemi.
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But in reaction to the court’s verdict, Adeleke maintained that he remains the governorship candidate of the PDP in Osun State describing the development as nothing unusual.
The businessman cum politician commended the national leadership of the opposition party for its steadfastness in protecting the party’s constitution.
He further hailed Iyorchia Ayu’s leadership of the party describing it as being honest, transparent and fair to all in the handling of the governorship primaries, adding that, “our leaders obeyed and enforced the party’s constitution, irrespective of whoever was involved.
“The leadership rejected frantic bid to disenfranchise us. The NWC insisted on due process and tradition. I am a product of due compliance with the PDP and Nigeria’s constitution. By law and tradition, I remain the flag bearer of our great party, and I am ready with God and men to lead the PDP to victory,” he said.
While describing the ongoing legal tussle as nothing unusual in a statement issued, yesterday, by his campaign organisation, Adeleke said those who headed to the court, and those who filed appeal petitions are only exercising their rights, adding, however, that “in due course, the will of party’s delegates leading to my candidature will be embraced by all.
“I once again call on my fellow aspirants to let us unite to secure victory for the party. Our team is open to all and we promise that we will run an inclusive campaign and government in the best interest of the people of Osun State,” the statement said.
