Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Friday alerted President Muhammadu Buhari of the potential danger of the declaration of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, warning that the move by INEC could cause a conflagration in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had yesterday removed the name of Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP from the list of the candidates of the political parties that would participate in the November 26 governorship election and replaced it with that of Ibrahim.
Speaking with State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed-doors with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, he expressed reservations over the ability of INEC to conduct a credible election in the state.
The Governor said there was no moral justification for what the INEC did, describing Ibrahim's declaration as injustice and mischief.
He said the President has promised to look into it and that if there is any injustice, assuring that it will be rectified.
Mimiko pointed out that, under INEC guidelines, the time for substitution of candidates has even elapsed.
"This action potentially can cause a breach of peace. In Ondo State in the last seven and half years, we have done everything possible to put good governance on the table. We see this action as potentially dangerous. It can cause conflagration in the state and that is why as the chief security officer of the state, I have come to alert Mr President of the potential danger of this injustice so that we can nip it in the bud," he said.
On the protest already happening in the state, the Governor said he has been on phone with stakeholders to ensure they keep the peace in the state.
His words, "I have assured them that this injustice will not stay. We will continue to explore all avenues to make INEC see reasons why this impunity must not stand.
Asked if he still has confidence in INEC to conduct credible election, he said "If INEC finds it difficult to obey court order, a credible election starts with a process like this."
