The name and particulars of the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), in Delta is conspicuously missing from the published list displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This may not be unconnected to the discrepancies uncovered in the certificates Sheriff Oborevwori, who won the May 25th 2022 primaries submitted during the screening, leading to his being sacked by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, under Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, on the 7th of July 2022.
Although no official reason has been given, sources confirmed that Delta PDP does not have a candidate for the said election based on recent developments.
On Friday, INEC published the personal particulars of candidates nominated by their political parties for the 2023 Governorship and State Assembly elections in all the constituencies nationwide.
Recall that Mr Yakubu on Thursday urged Nigerians to scrutinize the particulars and seek judicial remedy for any observed violation of the law when finally published on Friday (Thursday).
Although Oasis Magazine was yet to ascertain all the particulars of guber candidates in Delta that were published, while that of Oborevwori was missing, supporters of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who also is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have already posted his particulars published by INEC online.
Meanwhile, political observers have given reasons why Delta PDP failed to make the list.
Recall that a court had disqualified Oborevwori over discrepancies in the names on his academic certificates and declared Olorogun Edevbie as the authentic flag bearer.
Edevbie’s supporters also said INEC had acknowledged the 59-year-old politician by beginning the process to replace the Speaker’s name with his.
But, a social.media commentator who reacted to the news that PDP is out of the race, wrote: “David Edevbie’s name wasn’t submitted before the 15th July by PDP. INEC guidelines states that parties should submit their candidates’ name through the party’s portal and PDP failed to do that; so who’s at fault?
“They had the judgement on the 14th July served to PDP and INEC but PDP refused to submit the name.
“15th July was the last day for submission of guber and house of assembly candidates, 12th August is for REPLACEMENT OF CANDIDATE and you must submit first before replacement.
“They got the judgement before the deadline but PDP refused to send it. That informed INEC to write PDP on the 18th acknowledging the receipt of the Court judgement.
“Because INEC expected PDP to act but they refused. INEC and PDP got the Court judgement on 14th July and deadline was 15th July. Who’s to be blamed?”
However, PDP supporters have said that INEC does not have a deadline in publishing names of candidates for political parties.
Also, another source said the name of David and Sheriff are with INEC, adding that INEC’s legal team are studying the situation.
This may not be the last on this issue, he added.
Credit : Oasis Magazine
