Mayegun Sunday Olusegun Babanumi has condemned the alleged self-declaration of victory by an aspirant in the race for Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency, describing the act as illegal and a ground for disqualification.
Reacting to reports circulating within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Babanumi stated that any aspirant who pronounces himself winner before the official conclusion of the party’s process has violated the rules guiding the exercise.
According to him, such acts presuppose previous knowledge of the Screening Committee’s conclusion and suggest a preference for a particular candidate, thereby portraying the Screening Committee as biased.
“The penalty for such a candidate should be outright disqualification,” Babanumi declared. “This kind of conduct exhibits dubious characterisation and is dangerous to the integrity of our internal democratic process.”
He reaffirmed that there is no agreement for a consensus candidacy among aspirants for the Federal House of Representatives seat in Ibadan North West and Ibadan South West Federal Constituency.
Mayegun Babanumi called on the leadership of the PDP to enforce strong discipline on any violator of party rules and regulations, warning that failure to sanction such acts would encourage impunity and weaken party cohesion ahead of the general elections.
“The PDP must protect its processes. Self-help and media propaganda cannot replace the decision of the party,” he added.
Signed:
Mayegun Sunday Olusegun Babanumi
Aspirant, Federal House of Representatives
Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency
