From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Omar Suleiman Omarana, has approached the Federal High Court to challenge what he described as an “unlawful and undemocratic substitution” of his name by the party.
Omarana alleged that the move was instigated by the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who he said has endorsed Hamantukur Modibbo as the ADC candidate for Adamawa.
Addressing journalists in Yola recently, Omarana said the alleged substitution undermines the mandate freely given to him by party members during the primary.
“Let me state clearly and unequivocally that I remain the duly elected gubernatorial candidate of the ADC in Adamawa State,” he said.
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According to him, the party’s governorship primary was conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and witnessed by party members and the public. He won the election, while Modibbo came second, and his name was duly submitted to INEC as the party’s flagbearer.
“Because I anticipated the possibility of this kind of political manipulation, I approached the Federal High Court to protect the integrity of that mandate,” Omarana stated.
He said he sought an order of the court to prevent any unlawful substitution of his name, and an injunction restraining INEC from accepting any change to the list submitted by the party.
Omarana disclosed that court processes have already been served on INEC and the ADC at both national and state levels. He added that he was informed that Atiku had also been briefed about the suit.
“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,” he said.
The candidate described the issue as one that goes beyond personal ambition. “If the votes of party members can simply be overturned by fiat after an election, then we are not building democracy; we are replacing it,” he warned.
Omarana called on Atiku to withdraw the alleged endorsement and refrain from actions capable of undermining a process already 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 and cannot be appropriated by an individual,” he said.
He urged ADC members, supporters and the people of Adamawa to remain calm and defend the mandate through lawful and 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,” Omarana added.
Efforts to get reactions from the ADC national secretariat and Atiku’s media team were not successful as of press time.
INEC is yet to comment on the matter.
