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Mimiko, Jegede Made Huge Sacrifices For Democracy – Coalition

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A pro-democracy coalition says the capacity to induce security concern and force the postponement of an election in a state, is within the reach of a governor in Nigeria, but that “Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State chose to fear God and defy pressure”.

Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, CDNDC, observed that the governor and his candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, a senior advocate of Nigeria, must have come under tremendous pressure from politicians to precipitate a forceful postponement.

“In a country where a governor indirectly induced and deliberately allowed area boys to attack and kill Shiites Islamic sect members, creating an atmosphere to force the postponement of an election is the least thing,” said CDNDC co-Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, in an e-mailed statement to The Trent on Friday, December 2, 2016.

“In this same country, a security report was contrived to postpone a similar governorship election just to save the ruling APC from defeat in Edo State and INEC yielded.

“We must therefore commend Governor Mimiko and Mr. Jegede, who at their own detriment, chose to be peacemakers and made huge sacrifices by allowing the election to hold peacefully, despite all the frustrations from INEC.

“We all live in this nation and very conversant with the character of our politicians; election couldn’t have held in many States of the federation under the Ondo State circumstances and INEC would have no option than to postpone it.

“Indeed, Mimiko and Jegede are rare democrats and God fearing citizens for not precipitating crisis that could have forced a postponement, and which was within their reach to do; they may look foolish to some today, but God will justify them.

“It is on record that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede SAN, contested the November 26, 2016 governorship poll with his hands tied behind his back and denied all his electoral rights.

“INEC foisted the electoral travesty that created this problem, and yet refused to allow justice to prevail. This injustice done to Jegede is not over, it will mutate in a bigger form and create a bigger problem for INEC in 2019.

“The beneficiaries of that electoral travesty must not rejoice; we have not seen the end of this matter because all those who conspired to carry out this treachery will reap the consequences of their actions” the statement added.

The coalition commended both Mimiko and Jegede for congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, who was declared winner of the election by INEC.

“We want to urge Eyitayo Jegede to maintain the gracious path of honour that has endeared him to a many people. He is today the symbol of hope for our democracy,” the group said.

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