THE deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince John Ola Mafo, has described the Eyitayo/Mafo ticket as the strongest to win the November 26 governorship polls.

Mafo stated this at Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local council area of the state.

He said: “As far as Ondo State is concerned, no party is as strong as the PDP. It is the best platform that the people can rely on to win the governorship elections. The party is not only well-organized and disciplined, it also has a long track record of achievements.”

Mafo said his choice was favored by the current political calculations in the state.

He described the joint ticket as capable of winning the support of people of the southern senatorial district where the PDP is believed to have its largest supporters.

His words: “The Akure and Ilaje people are among the groups that have not occupied governorship position in the state. But, in the PDP these two areas are coming together to vie for the top position. The Jegede and Mafo ticket is a rare combination that would take the Ilaje one step to the seat.”

He said it was a misconception that the deputy governorship position is an inconsequential second fiddle.
“The idea that the number two position is not good enough is wrong. The position is not only desirable, but very effective in drawing development to the people”, he said.

He pledged that the oil-rich communities would witness a new era of development, if the PDP wins the election.

Mafo told the Ilaje people not to be deceived by the choice of Olusola Oke as governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
He said: “If our agitation for the number one position cannot be immediately realised, the number two is there for us for the taking.”

Group warns judiciary against complicity in PDP case

The Coalition for Stable Democracy (CSD), an alliance of pro-democracy group has urged the National Judicial Council( NJC) to take urgent step to ensure that justice is served in the matter regarding the  PDP candidacy in  the forth-coming governorship election in Ondo State, warning that judiciary should not allow itself to be used to subvert people’s will.

The group warned of dire consequence should NJC allowed the alleged miscarriage of justice in the ruling delivered by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja to go without scrutiny.

In a statement jointly signed by Victor Aderibigbe and Abdullahi Sanni, National Co-ordinator and Secretary respectively, the Coalition said the event of 1983 political crisis in Ondo would be a child’s play if the judiciary allowed itself to be used to truncate people’s will.

The Group alleged that the last Friday ruling is part of an unfolding plot to deprive Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s candidacy in order to brighten the chance of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the  forth-coming governorship election in Ondo State.

Eyitayo

“Let it be made clear that Ondo State is a peaceful state, but we are hasty to warn that the people there should not be taken for granted. With the experience of the political crisis that engulfed  the state during the Ajasin/Omoboriowo saga, Ondo election should be treated with utmost caution.

“We are therefore calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to pay serious attention to allegations of miscarriage of justice levelled against Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, in which he ruled that Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name be substituted with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

“Curiously, Justice Abang had earlier withdrew from the same case when the State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed doubt regarding his sincerity in handling the case fairly and without bias

“This is why we view this latest ruling with suspicion, especially, considering the accusation by the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Banji Okunomo that a Counsel Mr. Olagoke Fakunle (SAN) who took the summon for the plaintiffs also later appeared for the defendants.

The Coalition said it is on record that Mr. Ibrahim had publicly renounced his membership of the PDP and now a member of Accord Party and that his Ward chairman had also said he is yet to rejoin the party.