Isiaka faults INEC’s claims over substitution

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria in Ogun State, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, on Thursday disagreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission over the issue of substitution of candidates of the party with INEC.

Speaking in an interview with THE PUNCH on Thursday, Isiaka, who reacted through his Assistant on Media, Mr, Bolaji Adeniji, described as false the claim of INEC that it did not have the record of Isiaka as PPN candidate.

He said, “The substitution was done before the expiration of the deadline as stipulated by INEC and as you are aware, defection is a gradual process and that process was duly followed before we defected.

‘Our detractors never knew that while court process was on, we already saw the collaboration to deny us of our mandates and in order not to be caught unaware, we effectively substituted our candidates list on PPN’s list.

Isiaka presented to our correspondent an acknowledgement form of the receipt of form CF 001 form for substitution of INEC dated February 29 and his letter of waiver from PPN and withdrawal from PDP dated February 9 and 10 respectively to back up his claims,

The PPN Publicity Secretary in Ogun State , Alhaji Raheem Ajayi, who also reacted in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abeokuta on Thursday, explained that and other candidates met the requirements to participate in the forthcoming general elections.

He dismissed the allegations, saying it was the antics and evil machinations of certain cliques within the Peoples Democratic Party, who hounded the governorship candidate out of the ruling party.

Ajayi said, “We are at a loss why INEC, that is supposed to be an organisation manned by people of integrity, knowledge and credibility, should be so shoddy in going about its duties and responsibilities.

“It was the same INEC that issued acknowledgement letters to GNI and other candidates of the party when PPN substituted its candidates’ names with those of the current candidates earlier submitted before the January 31 deadline. The substitution for the new candidates was done to beat the February 14 deadline for the National Assembly candidates and the February 28 deadline for gubernership and State House of Assembly candidates.