Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its Acting Secretary, Okechukwu Ndeche, has written a letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, notifying the party that it had formally recognised the list of candidates for the 2019 general elections submitted to it by the Adebayo Dayo led State Executive Committee of the PDP in Ogun State.

The Bayo Dayo-led executive is loyal to Buruji Kashamu, senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, while the other faction, led by Sikirullahi Ogundele is the group recognised by the national body of the party.

Ogundele’s committee is loyal to member, House of Representatives, representing Demo Federal Constituency, Ladi Adebutu.

The commission affirmed this in a letter dated October 25, 2018, and addressed to the national chairman of the party which was received at the office of the chairman on Tuesday.

The commission said the Federal High Court in the matters ordered INEC to recognise the Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee and receive list of candidates to all elective positions for the 2019 election from the committee.

While responding to the development, Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, said the action of the Commission was a nullity and not known to any law or convention.

Ologbondiyan said the Commission had been compromised and was working for the All Progressives Congress, adding that the decision would be challenged in court.

He said though he was not aware of the letter as the Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, was not in town, he however revealed that the same Commission had earlier received and acknowledged the list sent by the National Working Committee in respect of Ogun State long before the list its parading now.

The PDP had in July expelled Kasahmu, alongside Dayo and two others, from the party over allegation of being loyal to the former National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff.

An Abuja High Court, however, voided the expulsion as unlawful in a judgement delivered by Justice Valentine Ashi on October 10.

•Excerpted from Daily Independent report