By Umar Dankano,Yola.
The Adamawa state Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Ambassador Omar Suleiman has expressed dismay with a statement attributed to Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar purportedly presenting Modibbo Hamman Tukur as the ADC gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa state.
Ambassador Suleiman popularly known as Omarana made this position public at a press conference in Yola on Friday saying that the statement came to him as a shock wondering how could Atiku who publicly identifies himself as a Democrat do that undemocratic claim knowing fully that he remains democratically elected as the gov’ship candidate for ADC in the state.
“I have read with shock the statement attributed to former Vice President and national leader of the ADC, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, purportedly presenting Alhaji Modibbo as the ADC gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa State.
“Let me therefore state clearly and unequivocally: I remain the duly elected gubernatorial candidate of the ADC in Adamawa State.
“The party’s governorship primary was conducted under the supervision of INEC and was witnessed by party members and the general public. I emerged victorious, while Alhaji Modibbo came second. In consequence, my name was duly submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate”. Omarana declared.
He emphasized that the mandate given to him through electoral process can not be taken away from him explaining that with the suspicion of this type of political manipulation he has approached a federal high to protect his mandate.
“Because I anticipated the possibility of precisely this kind of political manipulation, I approached the Federal High Court to protect the integrity of that mandate and sought judicial intervention to prevent any unlawful substitution of my name.
“I sought from the court an injunction restraining INEC from accepting any substitution of my name by the party or any person. The relevant court processes have been duly served on INEC and the party, at both national and state levels, and I have it on good authority that the former Vice President has been formally briefed by the party of my action.
“Until the court determines otherwise, no individual – regardless of his position, influence or stature – has the legal or moral authority to rewrite the result of a primary election or substitute his personal preference for the expressed will of party members.
“This is not about my personal ambition. It is about the sanctity of our democratic process. If the votes of party members can simply be overturned with fiat after an election has been conducted by those who are supposed to be the guardians of those votes, then we are not building democracy; we are replacing it with the very impunity that Nigerians have repeatedly rejected”. Omarana added.
He also vowed that the people’s mandate can not be rewritten urging Atiku Abubakar to withdraw the said post and refrain from any action capable of undermining the lawful process already undertaken by the party and that is currently before the court.
He said Leadership demands restraint, fairness and respect for due process, particularly from those who aspire to lead the country. “The mandate belongs to the people who gave it. It cannot be appropriated by an individual.
“I call on all members of the ADC, our supporters in Adamawa State and the Nigerian public to remain calm, vigilant and resolute. We shall continue to defend our mandate through lawful and democratic means and shall not allow the will of the people to be defeated by political manipulation.
“Democracy means that the people choose – and that their choice must be respected. Adamawa ADC members have made their choice; it is left for our political leaders to respect it or disregard it”. Ambassador Suleiman stressed.
Political analysts watching the political happenings in the state are of the view that all stakeholders and leadership of the ADC party needs to step in the ongoing melee with the hope to address the internal wranglings facing the party as they are facing 2027 general elections
