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By Emmanuel Adeleke
A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has affirmed Senator Ademola Adeleke as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16 governorship election in the state.
Justice Nathaniel Emmanuel made the declaration on Wednesday while ruling on a suit filed by a factional PDP candidate in Osun State, Prince Dotun Babayemi.
Emmanuel, who held that court cannot pick candidates for a political party, noted that it was an internal party issue and subsequently dismissed the suit.
Recall that the PDP had two governorship primary election, held on March 8. The Wale Ojo faction, which produced Dotun Babayemi had their primary at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, while the Adeleke faction had their primary at the Osogbo township stadium.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised the primary of the Adeleke faction, which was held under the supervision of Bayelsa State deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
In the list of candidates published by INEC, Adeleke was recognised as the duly elected candidate of PDP.
The development prompted Babayemi to approach the court to challenge the recognition of Adeleke by PDP and INEC.