PDP faction boycotts Ogun council poll

This followed a court verdict yesterday, which ratified the decision of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to conduct the council poll.

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, ruling yesterday in a suit instituted by a PDP chieftain, Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, against OGSIEC, held that the commission should continue with the election.

But, reacting to the verdict, Ogundele said although the court affirmed his leadership of the party in the state, it declined to stop the election on technical grounds.

Consequently, he directed PDP members to boycott the election.

A statement by Ogundele said PDP would withdraw its participation in the poll.

The statement said: “That all candidates of the party, who have been earlier screened by the party to contest in the local government election and our teeming party members and loyal supporters are enjoined to remain calm and sustain their confidence in the leadership of the party.”

But another chieftain of the party, Prince Leke Shittu, said PDP is going on with the election, adding that a dissatisfied faction cannot speak for the party.

He said OGSIEC had done the needful by recognising the legitimate group and urged those unhappy to sheathe their swords and vote for the party.

OGSIEC Chairman Babatunde Osibodu, who confirmed the dismissal of the case, said PDP is properly represented and will participate in the election tomorrow.