Ondo crisis: Tension as appeal court postpones judgement twice in 4 hours

The atmosphere at the court of appeal is tensed at the moment, as parties to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship tussle in Ondo state are eagerly awaiting ruling on the matter.

The time for ruling was earlier scheduled for 9am, but it was postponed to 12pm and later 1pm.

Among those in court are Ahmed Makarfi, chairman, caretaker committee of the PDP; Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the caretaker committee; Eyitayo Jegede, factional candidate of the party in Ondo; Tom Ikimi, former minister of foreign affairs; and Emeka Ihedioha, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives.

Some of the PDP bigwigs were seen discussing in hushed tones. Supporters of Jegede and Jimoh Ibrahim, candidate of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction, are also in court.

The election is billed to hold on Saturday.

Jegede had appealed the decision of the federal high court Abuja, to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Ibrahim as the PDP candidate in Ondo.

The commission complied with the court’s directive, and Jegede has been in and out of courts since then.

An appeal court panel led by Jummai Sankey had withdrawn from the case following a petition by Biyi Poroye, chairman of the Sheriff group in Ondo.

Poroye had alleged that the judges had been bribed.

He also sought the dissolution of the new panel set up by the court, saying it was not properly constituted.

Poroye also said the court had lost jurisdiction because he had applied for a stay of proceedings at the supreme court.

However, at the supreme court on Tuesday, he withdrew his application and the apex court justices led by Walter Onnoghen, acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), ordered the appellate court to deliver judgement on the matter.