The gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Engineer Omar Suleiman, has called on the party’s Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to stop jeopardising the lawful process already taken by the party.
Engineer Omar Suleiman, who made the call on Friday at the NUJ Press Centre, said he read with shock the statement by Atiku purportedly presenting Alhaji Modibbo Ribadu as the ADC gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa State.
“I therefore respectfully call on Alhaji 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 stated.
According to the Gubernatorial candidate, “I’ve read with shock the statement attributed to the former Vice President and the national leader of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, purportedly presenting Alhaji Modibbo Ribadu as the ADC gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa State “.
He said, “ordinarily, such a post might have been dismissed as another episode of political mischief coming from a former Vice President, a presidential candidate and national leader of our party and a man who publicly identifies himself as a democrat; it assumes a gravity that cannot be ignored “.
Omar Suleiman explained that the party’s governorship primary was conducted under the supervision of INEC, witnessed by party members and the general public, where I emerged victorious, while Alhaji Modibbo came second, and my name was duly submitted to INEC as the party candidate.
The embattled candidate said, “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”, he emphasised.
“I believe that the former Vice President and INEC were formally briefed by the party of my court action, adding that until the court determines otherwise, no individual, regardless of his position, influence or status, has the legal or moral authority to rewrite the result of a primary election or substitute his personal preference for the express will of party members.”
He, however, reminded Atiku that leadership demands restraint, fairness and respect for due process, particularly from those who aspire to lead the country.
While calling on party supporters in the State to remain calm, vigilant and resolute, Omar Suleiman promised to defend the mandate through lawful and democratic means and shall not allow the will of the people to be defeated by political manipulation.
