Resolving PDP crisis will not affect Jimoh Ibrahim’s candidature —Factional chairman

The factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Biyi Poroye, on Tuesday, stated that the resolve of the two factional leaders of the party to sheathe sword does not affect the candidature of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Poroye who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure, the state capital, after the meeting of the faction, also said that Mr Ibrahim remained the authentic candidate of the party for the election.

He explained that the factional chairman had submitted Ibrahim’s name at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying “Jimoh Ibrahim has been duly nominated as the candidate of the party as directed by the constitution.”

He said there was no conflict about the authenticity of Ibrahim’s candidature, adding that INEC would unveil Ibrahim’s name before the end of the week.

He urged party leaders across the 18 local government areas in the state to embark on mobilisation.

Poroye said “the settlement of the PDP crisis at the national level does not affect the status of the party in Ondo State. The national crisis is not an Ondo State crisis or issue. They can settle at the national level, but that has nothing to do with the legal action in Ondo State.”

“I want to confirm to you that Ibrahim is the only authentic candidate of the party for this election. I want to appeal to you not to be carried away with the propaganda or rumour spreading around.”

He stated that the party has not substituted Ibrahim’s name at the INEC office saying “It is instructive to know that when a name is submitted to INEC, that name can only be withdrawn on two grounds: if the candidate decides to resign by writing the party and INEC or if the candidate dies.”