The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned a lawsuit filed by former state chairman Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele and 13 local government chairmen.
The suit, lodged at the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, seeks to disqualify certain candidates presented by the PDP for the forthcoming local government elections, challenging their eligibility based on alleged discrepancies in party membership records.
Ogundele and his associates argue that some candidates lack authenticated membership in the PDP, claiming their names do not appear in registers validated by the National Working Committee (NWC) during recent ward congresses.
They have requested the court declare the nominations of these candidates “null and void ab initio” and have asked the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to withdraw these names from its candidate list for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions.
In a statement signed by the PDP Ogun State Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, the party denounced the lawsuit as a “judicial ambush,” alleging Ogundele is cooperating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize the PDP’s election prospects.
“It is disappointing that Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele has allowed himself to be used as a tool by the APC in Ogun State,” Adebayo said, accusing Ogundele of attempting to manipulate OGSIEC by submitting a “parallel list” of candidates, a move that reportedly failed due to resistance from other PDP members.
The PDP contends that the registration requirements for candidates, as specified in the party’s constitution, do not require NWC validation.
Adebayo cited Section 8(2) and (3) of the PDP constitution, which states that party registers are to be authenticated by ward chairmen and secretaries, countering Ogundele’s claim of NWC authority over membership records.
The PDP also suggested that the APC’s involvement is driven by fear over the growing popularity of PDP candidates across Ogun State’s 236 wards and 20 local government areas, adding that the APC’s approach reflects a lack of confidence in facing the electorate under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
“The APC is aware that Ogun State residents are tired and unwilling to continue with the governance of the APC,” the statement read.
Expressing confidence in their case, the PDP argued that the lawsuit is likely to fail given the timing and procedural requirements set by OGSIEC.
“The time prescribed by OGSIEC for filing objections to candidates has elapsed. The court cannot assist an indolent litigant, and equity aids only the vigilant,” Adebayo stated.
The PDP assured its supporters that it remains fully prepared for the election, having complied with OGSIEC’s candidate registration processes and urged candidates to remain calm and continue their campaigns.
The party urged the judiciary to remain impartial, calling on the court to disregard what it described as “orchestrated mischief” by Ogundele and the APC.
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