The Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday conducted the court-ordered rerun primaries across the state, with Otunba Jimi Lawal emerging as the party Governorship candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Penpushing reports that, the Governorship re-run said to be in line with court judgment was held at DLK events centre in Abeokuta, while in same vein the National Assembly and State House of Assembly primaries were held in the various constituencies in the state.
The Financial Secretary of the party, Bola Ademosu who led other members of the State Executive Committee to conduct the court-ordered rerun, said a total of 463 delegates were accredited to vote, adding that Jimi Lawal, emerged the gubernatorial candidate with 456 votes, and that trio of Ladi Adebutu, Segun Sowunmi and Abodunrin John Abimbola got zero votes, explaining that of the number, seven votes were voided
Penpushing further reports that, it is recalled that the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, had in two judgments delivered on the 27th of September, 2022, in Suit number. FHC/AB/CS/87/22 and suit number. FHC/AB/CS/83/22, ordered the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state to conduct fresh primaries within 14-days.
The defendants, however, filed an application for stay of execution in respect of the two judgments which were determined on Thursday, 13th October, 2022,while the application in respect in respect of suit number FHC/AB/CS/87/22 was dismissed, and the one in respect of suit number FHC/AB/CS/83/22 was withdrawn by the defendants/applicants (i.e. PDP and Adebutu).
Penpushing also reports that, Odumosu stated that with the development it paved the way for the State Executive Committee of the party to comply with the court order while the judgment debtors pursue their appeals.
The State Executive Committee of the party led by the Acting Chairman Hon Taiwo Akinlabi in response to the re-run announced suspension of Lawal and four others which include Hon Bola Odumosu,AlhajjiAjadi Fasiu, Alhaji Kola Akinyemi and Otunba Tope Ashiru.
Penpushing reports that, a statement by Publicity of the party, Bankole Akinloye said they are all suspended for gross disregards to the party hierarchy, anti party activities and treacherous acts capable of undermining the strength & wellbeing of the party in the State.
The Project Director, Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organization, Austin Oniyokor in swift response to the purported suspension said it was nothing but the weeping of a beaten and battered premature adult, describing it as the case of the voice of Jacob but the hand of Esau.
“The purported suspension of the just elected governorship candidate of the Ogun state PDP, Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL) is nothing but the weeping of a beaten and battered premature adult. It is the case of the voice of Jacob but the hand of Esau”, Oniyokor said.
T”o be sure, it is a sad commentary on our democracy and the rule of law that some lawless individuals could gather somewhere under the remote control of one of the aspirants who has just been defeated in the court-ordered governorship rerun to claim to have suspended party stalwarts for complying with subsisting court orders and judgments”,he added.
“It is the irony of our political space and system that those who are contemptuous of valid and subsisting judgments and orders of court could turn round to claim that they have suspended law-abiding citizens. Clearly, this contemptuous act cannot stand the test of time and the law”,he stated
“All their contemptuous acts will be taken before the court and the full weight of the law will be visited on them in due course.Until then, we want to appeal to all our party leaders, elders, supporters and the general public to remain firm in the face of the needless provocation. This political gymnastics will soon pass like others before
