NNPP Urges INEC to Address Impersonation of Ondo Governorship Candidates

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take swift action against individuals allegedly impersonating the party’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Gbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi.

The NNPP raised the alarm on Wednesday, identifying Akintan Michael and Kemi Fasua as the persons purportedly parading themselves as the party’s candidates ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

In a letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the NNPP’s national secretariat described the development as a clear breach of the 2022 Electoral Act.

The letter, signed by the NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, and National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, emphasized that INEC was duly notified of Edema and Adeyemi’s candidacy.

The party stated that Edema and Adeyemi emerged as the party’s candidates during the substituted primary held on June 5, 2024, at Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, following the withdrawal of Oluwatosin Ayeni and Abigail Omoyugbo for personal reasons.

Their candidature was cleared and legally recognized, with their names and credentials published by INEC.

The NNPP expressed concern, stating: “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 and nomination form, not to talk of contesting in our primary.”

The party urged INEC to subject Akintan Michael and Kemi Fasua to the full process of law, in line with the Electoral Act and other statutory laws of the land.