Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
September 25, 2022.
The solidarity group of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno state, has condemned the substitution of the senatorial candidate of Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe with Mohammed Umara Kumalia for the 2023 general elections.
According to the Group, , the Borno Central Senatorial District delegates unanimously elected Tatabe at the primary elections of May 23, 2022.
Condemning the senatorial candidate substitution, yesterday (Sunday), in Maiduguri, the Secretary of the PDP Solidary group, Ashiek Alhaji Umar, disclosed that after winning the senatorial primary elections, Tatabe was issued with a certificate of return by the national leadership of PDP in the state.
He, therefore, declared that the elected candidate for the senatorial district has not withdrawn his nomination up till now.
He lamented that it is disheartening that the lacuna has been perpetrated by other political parties, including the PDP.
According to him, the senatorial substitution candidature of Tatabe has however suppressed the will of the electorates at the primary elections.
Besides, he added: “To our dismay, we saw on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list of nominated candidates, the name of Kumalia,” noting that he did not contest for the primary elections.
He said that the 2022 Electoral Act of INEC, stated that a substituting candidate must be nominated through a valid primary election and monitored by the commission.
“It is on record that there was no primary election conducted in Maiduguri, to substitute Tatabe with Kumalia in the senatorial district,” he maintained.
He said the only senatorial primary election, was between Tatabe and Bukar Kachalla, when the former was returned elected by the senatorial delegates.
He alleged that most of the PDP substituted candidates, are however supported by the Abuja politicians.
He warned that Tatabe could not bought over by anybody, as he remains the Borno central senatorial candidate for the forthcoming general elections.
“The substitution of Tatabe with Kumalia, may likely affect the integrity of the partry negatively with reduced support of the people,” he warned.
