“It is uncharitable and ungodly of businessman of his stature to make this kind of allegation.”
This the reaction of Rotimi Oyekunmi, Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on the allegation by the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Ondo State governorship election, Jimoh Ibrahim, that an official of the commission demanded one million Dollars bribe from him.
Rotimi Oyekunmi said: ”it is not true that Mrs. Babalola demanded one million dollar bribe from Jimoh Ibrahim. Two other officials of INEC witnessed the encounter between Mrs. Babalola and Jimoh Ibrahim. Jimoh Ibrahim brought a copy of his judgment and wanted to impress it on INEC to collect it.
“But we told him that we already have it. It is uncharitable and ungodly of businessman of his stature to make this kind of allegation”, he said.
Jimoh Ibrahim, who was produced by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party, had told newsmen today, Sunday that he remained the PDP candidate in Ondo, citing last week judgment of an Abuja high Court which ruled that the Electoral body should recognize him.
He said that though the electoral body had said it will obey the court judgment immediately it was served, but that the music changed “immediately INEC was served the judgment.
“After the service, the music changed. INEC should not allow one governor to destroy its reputation. One of the officials demanded for one million dollar bribe from me to process the court judgment.”
The embattled Jimoh Ibrahim said that he had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and reported the official to the INEC chairman, even as he demanded the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State. He alleged that he is a card carrying member of the PDP. [myad]
