Celebration and jubilation broke out in Ondo State following the appeal court ruling that set aside the controversial Justice Okon Abang order that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reinstate the name of Eyitayo Jegede, the authentic candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for the November 26 governorship poll in the state.
The Appeal Court in Abuja on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 set aside the controversial Justice Okon Abang judgement issued on October 14, 2016 which recognised Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship of Ondo State. Consequent to the Okon Abang ruling, INEC had replaced Jegede’s name with that of controversial billionaire businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate for the PDP on October 27.
The court also ordered that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, reinstates Eyitayo Jegede,, a senior advocate of Nigeria, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the November 26 poll.
The judgement delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the head of the three-person panel, three days shy of the governorship polls in the state, faulted Justice Okon Abang ruling saying it did not follow due process for justice by denying Eyitayo Jegede fair hearing.
The court resolved all the 7 issues raised in the appeal in favour of Jegede who was challenging the ruling which ordered INEC to replace his name with that of controversial businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim.
Following the appeal court announcement, on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 residents of Akure and other towns in Ondo took to the streets in celebration.
Mr. Jegede, a senior advocate of Nigeria, speaking with the press after his victory at the Appeal Court dedicated his successes to his supporters.
Late on Wednesday, INEC announced that it has complied with the order of the Appeal Court and removed Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate and restored the rightful candidate of the party.
Below is a video of Jegede speaking with journalists after the judgement and below it, are photos of street celebrations in Ondo.
Click on any image below to enlarge.
