National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has washed his hands off the controversies trailing the candidacy of the party in the forthcoiming governorship election in Ondo state.
He made it clear, in a statement today, Tuesday that he would not take sides in any conflict over the choice of candidate by the Independence Nation Electoral Commission (INEC), in any State, including Ondo State where Governorship elections is scheduled to hold on November 26.
Modu Sheriff dispelled what he called ‘widespread speculations’ linking him with controversies surrounding the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and Jimoh Ibrahim as candidates of the PDP for the Ondo elections, to the effect that he was said to ben arms twisting the electoral body.
He said that as a law abiding leader, he is bound by whoever INEC publishes as both candidates in contention are respectable members of the PDP, and that he will treat their issues based on merits and in accordance with the law.
He dismissed insinuations that he is behind several petitions against the INEC, stressing that, he has done his duty by submitting a name to INEC, and that he expects that the Commission will act in accordance with its own mandate.
“I am not unmindful of events leading to the emergence of the two candidates, but wishe to assure Nigerians that steps are being taken to resolve all such issues even beyond what INEC may do, to avoid past experiences occasioned by internal bickering in the PDP.”
The national chairman assured the people of Ondo State that, party Leaders have been working to ensure the PDP wins in the forthcoming elections, immaterial of who flies its flag.
Modu Sheriff said that he did not author nor did he authorize any petition to be written on his behalf, as is being mischievously alleged in some sections of the media and called on the people to stop using his name to settle scores. [myad]