Omar Suleiman, African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Adamawa, says he has gone to court to challenge his alleged substitution by the party.

Mr Suleiman, who claimed the development was backed by the presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, said the people’s mandate given to him cannot be rewritten through manipulation.

Mr Suleiman spoke during a press conference on Friday in Yola while raising concern over a statement attributed to Mr Abubakar endorsing his substitution with Hamantukur Modibbo.

He claimed Mr Abubakar endorsed Mr Modibbo as the ADC governorship candidate, describing the development as shocking, given Mr Abubakar’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.

Mr 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 Mr Modibbo came second, adding that his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as a 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.

Mr 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 Mr Abubakar 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.

Mr 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 Mr Abubakar 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 and hence cannot be appropriated by an individual,” he added.

Mr 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)