TheCable

Segun Adewale, chairman, Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the activities of the Ahmed Markafi faction in the state, may cost the party in the forthcoming local government polls.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, Adewale alleged that the faction’s leader Moshood Salvador and his group have made over N12 million from the sale of illegal nomination forms to unsuspecting aspirants.

He also insisted that any dealing between of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ( LASIEC) and Salvador’s group is illegal and a total disregard of the party’s constitution.

Adewale further challenged Salvador to show the world a letter or certificate from the national working committee of the PDP authorising him to function as the party chairman in Lagos.

“Salvador is only acting the script of Chief Bode George who singularly proclaimed him chairman without the authority of the national organs of the party nor the endorsement of majority of our members in Lagos,” Adewale said.

“We are fully aware of a grand plan by the ruling APC to distract us using Salvador and a few greedy elements while they again impose their stooge at the grassroots. We will resist every such collaborations using all available legal means at our disposal.

“Any further dealings with Salvador by LASIEC staff will be viewed as an attempt to rig the polls in favour of the APC.

“We can no longer allow this illegality to continue unchallenged. We have therefore petitioned the Police, DSS and all relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone impersonating the PDP and those dealing with the impostors in Lagos state.

“Salvador is simply seeking personal agenda at the detriment of the party. They are covertly working to ensure the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Local Government polls, while defrauding our members of funds needed to prosecute a successful election.”

Citing the party’s constitution, Adewale said, “Salvador has no authority whatsoever to present any candidate to LASIEC at the polls.

“According to section 50. (1) of the PDP constitution, the National Executive Committee of the Party is the only organ saddled with the authority of nominating candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or any other authority to whom it may concern for election into any public office in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the electoral acts.”

Adewale lamented that every attempt made by his executives to reconcile with members of the Markafi’s group towards the election proved abortive.