The embattled Adamawa State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Alhaji Suleiman Omar, has asked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stay off the party’s activities in the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Yola, Omar said his purported replacement announced by Atiku was unconstitutional, insisting that he remained the authentic governorship candidate of the party.
“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.
“Ordinarily, such a post might have been dismissed as another episode of political mischief. Coming, however, 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.
“I therefore respectfully but firmly 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.
“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,” he warned Atiku.
Omar said he remained the duly elected governorship candidate of the ADC in Adamawa State and could not be replaced in an undemocratic manner.
