INEC Notifies PDP of Its Decision to Recognise Kashamu Candidates’ List

Femi Ogbonnikan In Abeokuta

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has notified the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party of its decision to accept and publish the list of candidates submitted by Adebayo Dayo-led state executive committee in Ogun State, for the 2019 general elections.

The Dayo-led executive committee in the state is loyal to the embattled Ogun East Senatorial candidate, Buruji Kashamu.

INEC’s letter with reference No. INEC/LEG/DR/197/1/514, dated October 25, 2018, addressed to the national Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, was obtained by THIS DAY on Tuesday.

In the letter titled, “Nomination of candidates for 2019 general elections in Ogun State”, signed by its Acting Secretary, Okechukwu Ndeche, INEC drew the attention of the national leadership of the party to two different judgements of the Federal High court in the following cases: FHC/L/CFS/636/2016- Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Another Vs INEC and five others; and FHC/L/CFS/114/2018 – Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju (member, PDP National Working Committee) and six others Vs INEC and 30 others .

The letter read thus, “The Federal High Court in the matters ordered the commission to recognise Adebayo Dayo-led State executive committee of PDP in Ogun State and receive list of candidates for the 2019 Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly election from the said committee. .

“You will recall that the commission, vide a letter dated 12th April, 2018, informed your party of the commission’s compliance with the judgements of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/L/CFS/636/2016- Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Anor Vs INEC and five others and FHC/L/CFS/114/2018- Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju (member, PDP National Working Committee) and six others Vs INEC and 30 others , which affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/L/CFS/636/2016 which is subsisting until it is set aside.

“Further to the above decision, the Federal High Court Abeokuta Division on 2nd October in suit No. FHC/L/ABJ/114/2018 – Engr. Adebayo Dayo (State Chairman) and eight others Vs INEC also ordered the commission to recognise the Adebayo Dayo-led State executive committee of PDP in Ogun State and receive list of candidates for the 2019 Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly election from the said committee” .

Beside, the commission in the letter signed by the acting Secretary, Okechukwu Ndeche, said “Consequently, the commission hereby notes the decision of the Federal High Court in the above referred cases and will publish the lists of candidates submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led state executive committee of Ogun state pursuant to the orders of the Federal High Court until they are set aside”.