Some stakeholders of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno Central Senatorial District, have declared support for the legal action taken to challenge the candidacy of Umara Kumalia as the senatorial candidate of the party.
The stakeholders expressed displeasure with the national leadership of the party for allegedly manipulating the will of the people by substituting the name of Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe who won the party primary for the Senatorial ticket with that of a decampee from APC, Umara Kumalia that didn’t participate in the primary.
The stakeholders who addressed the press on Sunday in Maiduguri, urged members of the party not to be disturbed by the development but to campaign vigorously for Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe who won the party primary for the ticket as they await court verdict.
Tatabe who won the party primary for the senate seat has gone to court to challenge his substitution with Umara Kumalia who defected from All Progressives Congress (APC) insisting that the claimed that he (Tatabe) had withdrew from the race was false.
Tatabe had claimed that the letter tendered to INEC as his withdrawal letter from the race was forged one.
Ashiek Alhaji Umar who read the statement of the stakeholders, said they had gone far in mobilizing support for the party and should not be distracted by the legal tussle to ensure that justice is done.
“The people of Borno Central Senatorial District are solidly behind PDP and more people are trooping in daily sequel to the Get Out To Vote (GOTV) initiative introduced by Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe and his team..
“We call on our teaming supporters to remain calm, develop thick skin and disregard whatever comment the enemies of progress may say.
“Continue your mobilization for the party and campaign for Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe while we await the decision of the court.
“Please dont relent in our quest towards achieving our goal of winning the election come 2023,” Umar said.
He raised concern over the action of some state executive members of the party regarding the injustice meted to Tatabe and urged them not create bad impression about themselves.
“It will be recalled that a press conference was held some couple of days ago by five local governments party executives of the constituency but to our astonishment a press release was made countering the statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the party perhaps he knew something that we dont know as party members.
“We all have the interest of the party at heart. We therefore urge the state party leadership not to create a bad impression about themselves because the statement made on behalf of the state party leadership was viewed by most of the members and the public that igbos complicit on the issue,” Umar noted.
The Borno Central Senatorial seat is currently being occupied by Sen. Kashim Shettima, the running mate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu the presidential candidate of APC for 2023 election.
