The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has debunked rumors that its petition at the Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal has been defeated, saying it was intact.

The party also urged the public to ignore posts in the social media that ACN’s petition had been dismissed.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Agbede, yesterday, ACN said: “Our attention has been drawn to the deluge of lies and propaganda being bandied about and posted on the social media network. LP supporters are lying that ACN’s petition at the tribunal has been struck out with that of Accord. For the avoidance of doubt, our petition at the tribunal is intact and will be heard in due course.”

The party reiterated its confidence in its legal team and urged its supporters to be optimistic on the outcome of the tribunal.

On Monday, the tribunal said it has jurisdiction to hear the ACN’s petition challenging the declaration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of last October’s governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mimiko had defeated Rotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party, to retain his seat after a keenly contested election on October 20, 2012.

 


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that since it has not been served with court order on the removal of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as the National Secretary of PDP, it recognizes no other person but him.

This was made known by Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He noted that it was impossible for the electoral umpire to strike out the name of Oyinlola without receiving a copy of court order, as INEC needed such to know the steps to take.

“There has not been any specific order with regards to the removal and if there is an order directing the commission to remove his name as national secretary, then, INEC will comply.”

He added that “The PDP as a party had not written to the commission on the removal of Oyinlola as its national secretary.”

The former Osun State Governor was sacked as the PDP national secretary by an Abuja High Court recently.

The leadership of the ruling party has been enmeshed in cold-war, with loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo fighting over control of affairs.