A Pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against falling into the game plan of fifth columnists by undermining the recognition and publication of the name of Chief Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the PDP candidate in the Ondo State governorship election.

In a letter submitted in the early hours of Thursday, and signed by the National Coordinator of the Association, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group called on INEC to be mindful of the lingering credibility deficits that the recently held Edo State governorship poll brought to the door steps of the electoral commission just as it called on INEC to publish the name of Jegede as the official candidate of PDP.

In the letter addressed and presented to the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, the rights group warned the electoral panel not to create anarchy and disquiet in Ondo State by failing to name the rightful candidate for the main opposition party who passed through the statutory crucibles of party primary election in Ondo State by qualified and verified party delegates in a process that independent observers such as HURIWA adjudged as transparent, free, fair and peaceful.

HURIWA said it is imperative that democracy is not scuttled in the platter of sponsored and ochestrated anarchy such as introducing someone unknown by members of the PDP in Ondo to fly its flag in an election that would determine who governs the state for the next four years.

The group condemned the wild allegations being bandied about a demand for $1 million as sensationally made in the media by Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim just as it asked INEC to maintain her independence and not to be cowed by subtle intimidation to reach a contradictory determination of who the authentic PDP candidate is since it has always been known that Jegede is the officially recognised flag bearer of the PDP.

•Photo shows INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu.

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