As the battle for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ogun state governorship ticket thickens, one of the candidates laying claim to the party’s ticket, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has vowed to carry the ongoing legal battle to the end.
Last Friday, a Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled in favour of Showunmi, in a case between him, the PDP, Ladi Adebutu and others.
However, director of media, Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya, had in a statement dismissed the ruling of the Appeal Court, alleging that it was misinterpreted by a section of the media.
Showunmi expressed hope that with the victory at the Court of Appeal, on Monday, he would emerge the authentic candidate of the PDP in Ogun state in the next few weeks.
The factional candidate who spoke while addressing pressmen on the outcome of the judgement in Abuja, on Wednesday, said he was humbled by the number of Nigerians that were interested in the case.
He lamented the rate of imposition of candidates by leaders of political parties in Nigeria.
“I went through the right channels right from the beginning even before the primary election, to draw the party’s attention to the anomaly going on in Ogun state. I want to put it on record that no one can intimidate me into conceding defeat where I am a winner.
“I will fight this battle to the end and will be on the ballot. No individual has a monopoly of wealth. Where is even the wealth? We must run on ideas. I have a network of family and friends that can easily and comfortably prosecute a governorship election,” he said.
Showunmi explained, “When the party declared open the sale of forms, it meant anybody who wanted to contest for any position including the presidency, should start buying form. My colleague, Hon Ladi.
“Adebutu purchased his form on the very first day. Ironically, upon buying his form, Hon. Adebutu went to the media – the Television, Newspapers and Online platforms saying that the Executive Committee (EXCOs) of the Peoples Democratic Party bought the form for him.
“I reasoned that if we were to go into a contest that requires us to get adhoc delegates from the Excos in the wards and follow the rules that will lead to getting the delegates that will put together an electoral college that will elect the party’s candidate, I felt that the constitution of the PDP had been compromised and broken because the fact that they bought a form for a particular candidate shows that there is a bias and that they have been compromised.
“Secondly, the Oath of Office of the Exco which includes that they will be free, fair and just to all and sundry had also been compromised. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had also been breached relative to how political parties are to organise themselves.
“I, therefore, wrote a letter to the national organ of our party – the National Chairman’s Office, the National Secretary’s Office, the National Organizing Secretary’s Office and the National Legal Adviser’s Office, saying that it is unfair to purchase a contest form for one among several contestants. I offered remedial opportunities alongside my complaint.
“As a remedy, I recommended that the exco, which action showed bias should be dissolved or set aside while a fair set of people should be brought on board to superintend the primary election process.
“I gave a number of sounds and progressive advice, and I explained that if they failed to do the needful, I would have no alternative but to seek redress in court.
“Because of their penchant to disregard everything that other people in other civilizations will treat as serious, I wrote the letter in the court and gave them a proof of service from the Federal High Court, Abuja.”
Showunmi commended the Court of Appeal for a very thorough judgement.
