Adawama governorship: Suleiman vows fight to finish with Atiku endorsed Modibbo for ADC ticket

By Talatu Maiwada

The candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC for Adamawa 2027 governorship election, Omar Suleiman has expressed shock over alleged endorsement of his substitution with Alhaji Hamantukur Modibbo by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar

Suleiman expressed the shock on Friday in Yola while informing journalists that he has approached the court to challenge his alleged substitution by the party.

While affirming that the people’s mandate given to him cannot be rewritten through manipulation, Suleiman raised concern over a statement attributed to Atiku endorsing his substitution with Modibbo.

He claimed Atiku endorsed Modibbo as the ADC governorship candidate, describing the development as shocking, given Atiku’s position as the party’s national leader.

“Let me therefore state clearly and unequivocally that I remain the duly elected gubernatorial candidate of the ADC in Adamawa State,” he said.

Suleiman said the party’s governorship primary was conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and witnessed by members and the public.

According to him, he emerged victorious in the primary, while Modibbo came second, adding that his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as candidate.

He said he approached the Federal High Court to protect the integrity of his mandate and prevent any unlawful substitution of his name.

“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.

“I sought judicial intervention to prevent any unlawful substitution of my name.

“I also sought from the court an injunction restraining INEC from accepting any substitution of my name by the party or any person,” he said.

Suleiman said the court processes had been served on INEC and the ADC at both national and state levels.

He added that he had been informed that Atiku was also briefed by the party about the legal 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,” he said.

Suleiman said the issue was not about personal ambition but the sanctity of the democratic process and respect for party members’ choice.

“If the votes of party members can simply be overturned with fiat after an election, then we are not building democracy; we are replacing it,” he said.

He called on Atiku to withdraw the alleged post and refrain from actions capable of undermining the party’s process already before the court.

He said leadership demands restraint, fairness and respect for due process, particularly from those who aspire to lead the country.

He stressed that the mandate belongs to the people who gave it, hence cannot be appropriated by an individual,” he added.

Suleiman urged ADC members, supporters and the public to remain calm, vigilant and resolute in defending the mandate through lawful democratic means.

“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,” he added.

(NAN)