There seems to be more troubles for the Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the emergence of Jimi Lawal as a factional governorship candidate of the Party in the State.

Lawal emerged the factional candidate of the Party at a primary conducted at an event center in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Monday.

The State Financial Secretary of the Party, Bola Odumosu, conducted the factional primary which was monitored, according to the spokesperson of the group, Austine Oniyokor, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and other statutory agencies.

The group, in a statement made available after the primary, hinted that the primary was conducted in compliance with court orders.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun state cpital had in two judgments delivered on the 27th of September, 2022, in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/87/22 and Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/83/22, ordered the State Executive Committee of the PDP to conduct fresh primaries within 14-days.

This was after the same court nullified the primaries which produced all the hitherto recognized candidates including Ladi Adebutu.

Following the court order, INEC has removed all the names earlier submitted to it by the party from its final list of candidates released a fortnight ago.

However, a stay of execution was filed at the trial court in respect of the two judgments.

While the application in respect of Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/87/22 was dismissed, the one in respect of Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/83/22 was withdrawn by the defendants/applicants.

Announcing the results at the end of the rerun, Lawal emerged the winner with 456 votes out of the possible 463 delegates accredited to vote.

Both Adebutu and other aspirants, Otunba Segun Sowunmi and Abodunrin John Abimbola scored zero votes.

Odumosu, while announcing the result said the primary was in compliance with the court order while the judgment debtors pursue their appeals.

But in a swift reaction, the Chairman of the Party, Sikirullahi Ogundele, said the Ogun State PDP distance itself from the primaries as no such was conducted by the State chapter.

Ogundele examined that the National Working Committee of the Party had appealed the judgement as contained in an October 4, 200 press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, adding that the Party couldn't have conducted any primary when the case was already before the appellate court.

"Recall that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party had appealed the judgements that nullified the primary elections of the party which was contained in a press release by the NWC on 4th October, 2022 signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.

"The NWC had appealed the judgements and could not have organised any purported primary election."

The Party, had immediately suspended Lawal, the state financial secretary of the Party, and others who took part in the primaries.

The Chairman explained that he had the authority of the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to sanction any disobedient member.

"I wish to state clearly that I have the mandate of our National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu that sanctions await any form of disobedience.

"Therefore, we urge all party faithful to remain calm and focused as we await the appeal court verdict."

Meanwhile, Lawal faction has described the suspension as a political masturbation and a sad development for Nigeria democracy.