A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu has said he remains the governorship candidate of the party in the state.
This is as the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja reassigned the case earlier filed by an aspirant of the PDP in Ogun, Jimi Lawal against Adebutu.
Lawal had approached a Federal High Court to challenge the primary election that produced Adebutu as the governorship candidate, saying a fake delegate list was used for the primary.
But the lower court ruled that the matter was a party affair and the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate over it.
Dissatisfied, Lawal proceeded to the Appellate court to challenge the judgment of the high court.
On Friday, the Appellate court ordered that the case be reassigned to another judge of that Abuja High Court for trial.
Reacting, Adebutu told newsmen that “the appellate court has not given any order relating to the nomination of the PDP gubernatorial candidate of Ogun State but ordered that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court reassigns the case for accelerated hearing.”
Speaking through his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu said: “For clarity purpose and deep understanding of the matter by our supporters and the general public, Otunba Jimi Lawal approached the appeal court to seek redress in an earlier judgment against him at the Federal High Court which was struck out. However, the appeal court found his submission inadequate and only granted a retrial.”
He said the position of the appellate court has nothing to do with his nomination as the candidate of the PDP in Ogun.
”On this matter, an appeal to the Supreme Court is allowed for both parties,” he said.
“We call on our members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State to be calm and be assured of victory at the end,” Adebutu emphasised.