The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday laid to rest the controversy over the list of candidates for the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the February 16 and March 2 elections.
In the final list of Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates published by the Commission on its website,www.inecnigeria.org, the electoral body listed the names of candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive as candidates of the PDP for the National Assembly election scheduled for 16th of February, 2019.
The Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive is the structure supported by the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, who also doubles as the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate for this year’s general elections.
For the Senatorial candidates, the list has Apostle Solomon Abiodun Sanyaolu as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District; Engr. Sosanwo Adeola Ayoola for Ogun East Senatorial District and Honourable Odunjo Odunleye Abiodun for Ogun West Senatorial District.
For the House of Representatives candidates, the list has Barrister (Mrs) Lanre-Balogun Abimbola for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency; Showunmi Olusegun for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency; Sunmonu Monsuru Olusegun for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency; Kojeku David Olusola for Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency; Ajose Suru for Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency; Adesina Olufemi for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency.
Others are Barrister Taiwo Kabir Shote for Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency; Honourable Adekoya Adesegun Abdul-Majeed for Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency and Honourable Lawal Alaba Isiaka for Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
Reacting, Senator Kashamu described the development as “victory for resilience and the Rule of Law”, saying there was “no victor, no vanquished”.
He said with the publication of the final list of candidates by INEC, it was incumbent all lovers of the party to close ranks and work to deliver Ogun State for PDP.
“Like I said recently, we are members of the same family. We may have had our differences in the past. At the end of the day, it is the party that wins; not any individual or group. We have to come together and work to deliver Ogun State for PDP in all the elections. As the Governorship Candidate of the Party, my doors are wide open. I am willing, able and ready to work with all – in the overall interest of our Party and people.”
Kashamu commended INEC and the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice and the Rule of Law.
He wondered what “our democracy would have been without the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man and an upright electoral umpire”.
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