The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has raised an alarm over an alleged impersonation of its governorship candidate and his running mate in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state.
The alarm was raised by the party in a petition addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the impersonation of its governorship candidate, Hon. Gbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi.
The NNPP in the letter addressed to INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu and signed by the National Chairman of the party, Ajuji Ahmed, and the National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, maintained that Edema and Adeyemi remained the party’s candidate and running mate respectively, and said those impersonating them are not known to the leadership of the party.
The party, however, called for swift legal action against the individuals impersonating themselves as the party’s candidates.
Describing the development as a clear breach of the 2022 electoral act, the party leadership identified the individuals as Engr. Akintan Michael and Mrs. Kemi Fasua are not known to the party.
The party explained that INEC was duly notified of the emergency of Edema and Adeyemi as its standard-bearers during the substituted primary held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State capital.
They said the development became necessary following the withdrawal of Oluwatosin Ayeni and Abigail Omoyugbo as the governorship and deputy governor candidate of the party who stepped down for “personal reasons.”
The party also maintained that the candidature of Edema and Adeyemi was legally recognised as their names and credentials were published by INEC as the party’s candidates.
The party said: “We wish to bring to the attention of your good office a case of impersonation of the NNPP Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates in the forthcoming off-cycle on November 16, 2024.
“You would recall, sir, that we informed your good office of our Ondo State Governorship Primary fixed for Friday, April 26, 2024, via a letter NNPP/HQRTS/INEC/024/23 dated March 7, 2024.
“At the said primary, monitored by officials of the INEC, Mr. Ayeni Oluwatosin Israel emerged as the NNPP governorship candidate, and he later picked Mrs. Omoyugbo Abike Abigail as his running mate, and the two names were published by INEC.
“However, due to what they called “personal reasons,” the two of them withdrew their candidature, which prompted the NNPP to schedule a fresh primary to elect a replacement on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State via our letter NNPP/HQRTS/INEC/024/54.
“Mr. Chairman, sir, without doubt, this is a clear case of impersonation, as there was never a time the said Engr. Akintan Michael purchased our Letter of Intent/Nomination form not to talk of contesting in our primary.
“We therefore wish to submit that this is a clear case of impersonation and a breach of the electoral law. It is our belief that such an act should not be handled with kid gloves, and it deserves serious attention and action by the INEC to serve as a deterrent to those whose objective is to truncate the forthcoming governorship election and indeed the peace of Ondo State.”
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEÂ
Suicide attacks: Deploy technology to combat insurgency, Senators tell FG
and then