The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the impersonation of the governorship candidate of the party, Gbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State.
In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the electoral body, Mahmood Yakubu, the national secretariat of the party called for swift legal action against the individuals impersonating the candidates.
While describing the development as a clear breach of the 2022 electoral act, the party, in a letter signed by the National Chairman of the party, Ajuji Ahmed, and the National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, identified the individuals as Engr. Akintan Michael and Mrs. Kemi Fasua.
According to the party, INEC was duly notified of the emergency of Edema and Adeyemi as its standard-bearers during the substituted primary held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State capital, following the withdrawal of Oluwatosin Ayeni and Abigail Omoyugbo for “personal reasons.”
The party also maintained that the candidature of Edema and Adeyemi was legally recognised as their names and credentials were published by INEC as the party’s candidates.
The party said: “We wish to bring to the attention of your good office a case of impersonation of the NNPP Governorship and Deputy Governorship Candidates in the forthcoming off-cycle on November 16, 2024.
“The culprits are Engr. Akintan Michael and Mrs. Kemi Fasua, purporting to be the NNPP Governorship Candidate and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the NNPP, both of whom are unknown to the party.
“You would recall, sir, that we informed your good office of our Ondo State Governorship Primary fixed for Friday, April 26, 2024, via a letter NNPP/HQRTS/INEC/024/23 dated March 7, 2024.
“At the said primary, monitored by officials of the INEC, Mr. Ayeni Oluwatosin Israel emerged as the NNPP governorship candidate, and he later picked Mrs. Omoyugbo Abike Abigail as his running mate, and the two names were published by INEC.
“However, due to what they called “personal reasons,” the two of them withdrew their candidature, which prompted the NNPP to schedule a fresh primary to elect a replacement on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State via our letter NNPP/HQRTS/INEC/024/54. The fresh primary was monitored by INEC officials, where Barr. Gbenga Omogbemi Edema emerged as the new governorship candidate of the NNPP, and he later picked Barr. Rotimi Emmanuel Adeyemi as his running mate.
“These two names were later published by your good office in the Final List of Governorship Candidates and their Deputies on Friday, June 14, 2024.
“However, to our chagrin, our attention was recently drawn to one Engr. Akintan Michael pasting posters, all claiming to be the governorship candidate of our party in Ondo State, and one Mrs. Kemi Fasua as his running mate.
“Mr. Chairman, sir, without doubt, this is a clear case of impersonation, as there was never a time the said Engr. Akintan Michael purchased our Letter of Intent/Nomination form not to talk of contesting in our primary.
“We therefore wish to submit that this is a clear case of impersonation and a breach of the electoral law. It is our belief that such an act should not be handled with kid gloves, and it deserves serious attention and action by the INEC to serve as a deterrent to those whose objective is to truncate the forthcoming governorship election and indeed the peace of Ondo State.
“We hope the INEC, under your able leadership, will subject these two Engr. Akintan Makinde and Mrs. Kemi Fasua to the full process of law, in line with the Electoral Act and other statutory laws of the land.”