I have nothing to lose, says Jimoh Ibrahim on appeal court ruling

Jimoh Ibrahim, candidate of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, has reacted to Wednesday’s appeal court ruling sacking him as the party’s candidate in Saturday’s Ondo governorship election.

The court replaced Ibrahim with Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, but Ibrahim said he was certain of getting justice at the supreme court.

Ibrahim accused Olusegun Mimiko, the incumbent governor of Ondo, of paying for the judgment with the state treasury.

“I have read the decision of the court of appeal delivered today. We have nothing to lose as the supreme court sits on the same case tomorrow,” he said.

“We shall get justice at the supreme court and if PDP wins Saturday election we shall have our four years mandate to rule Ondo state.”

Meanwhile, the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction has commended the court of appeal for its judgment.

Dayo Adeyeye, national publicity secretary of the faction, said the judgment was proof that what transpired at the lower court was miscarriage of justice.

Adeyeye said the party appreciated the Nigerian judiciary for “standing behind truth as it affects the attempt by enemies within working in consonance with some jittery and desperate opposition members.’’

He said the aim of the enemies of the party was to thwart PDP’s participation in the Ondo governorship election.

Adeyeye said the judgments delivered by the supreme court and that of the court of appeal had rekindled the hope of the common man in the judiciary.

“This shows that justice might be delayed, but will surely come provided the oppressed refuse to give up on his rights,” he said.

“The judgment delivered by the Justice Salauwa-led Appeal Court Panel which returned the validly elected candidate of our party, to his rightful place was expected.

“It was expected because we were sure that the travesty of justice carried out at the lower court will in any sane society, not stand the test of time.’’

Adeyeye expressed hope that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would toe the line of the court of appeal by postponing the Saturday election by a minimum of two weeks.

He said the postponement would allow the faction’s candidate to inform the people of the state his programmes for them through campaigns.