Professor Mahmood, Yakubu, INEC boss

The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) has replaced the name of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim with that of Mr Eyitayo Jegede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ondo governorship election, scheduled for Saturday.

A statement signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr Agusta Ogakwu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that INEC’s decision is in line with the judgment of the Appeal Court which ordered it to replace Ibrahim’s name with Jegede as PDP candidate for the Saturday’s election.

The Court of Appeal panel, led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, on Tuesday, set aside the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate in the Ondo gubernatorial poll.

Ogakwu said that the decision of the Commission was in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal over the party’s candidate tussle for Ondo governorship election.

“It will be recalled that in compliance with the Order given by the Federal High Court Abuja Division on Oct. 14 (re-affirmed on Oct. 27), the commission recognised Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the governorship election.

“However, with today‘s judgment by the Court of Appeal, the commission hereby replaces Mr Jegede as the candidate of the PDP for the said election,” Ogakwu said.

She urged the people of Ondo to come out and exercise their franchise on Nov. 26, in a peaceful manner .

“All the political parties and their candidates participating in the election are also enjoined to play by the rules and cooperate wlth INEC to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.” (NAN)