*accuses Abuja based party leaders of manipulation, mischief, campaign of calumny
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Supporters and members of Mustapha Jibrin Tatabe People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Group have vowed never to give up struggle of challenging Abuja Based PDP politicians from Borno and their culprits in court, over the replacement of name of Borno Central Senatorial District Candidate, Mustapha Jibrin Tatabe at the last PDP primaries in the state.
They also expressed dismay over the sudden manipulation and conspiracy against the overall interest and will of the people by the national leadership of the party, pointing out that, it is on record that the Senatorial District unanimously elected Hon. Mustapha Jibrin Tatabe during the Senatorial District party primary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Maiduguri.
Hon. Tatabe was issued with certificate of return by INEC and since then, he has never withdrawn from the race and has never contemplated, nor written any letter of withdrawal as well as given anybody mandate, but efforts were made by the Abuja based party leaders to frustrate him.
The spokesman of the group, Asheik Alhaji Umar who is also the Secretary expressed this at a press conference with journalists, held at Phina Catering Conference Hall,vMaiduguri on Sunday, where he also said that ,” it is sad and disheartening that the lacuna has been perpetrated by some political parties”.
He further stressed that, “before the release of INEC’s list of nominated candidates, we learnt that the national leadership of the party in concert with some Abuja based party leaders who are contributing nothing towards the development of the party in the state, cleverly substituted Hon. Mustapha Jibrin Tatabe] with that of Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia.
“To our dismay, we saw on the INEC’s list of nominated candidates, the name of one Mohammed Umara Kumalia, who did not contest the party primary. We are not legal practitioners, but from the Electoral Act 2022 as amended explicitly, there was no party primary election conducted in Maiduguri in respect of the substitution of Mohammed Umara Kumalia in our constituency.
“The only Senatorial primary election for Borno Central District conducted in Maiduguri is the one between Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe and Hon. Bukar Kachallah, where Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe was retuned elected.
“For us, it is imperative to let the national leadership and the whole world know that it is still in our minds and we are aware of previous candidates who are merchants and want to let down the party. Most of these candidates are supported by the so called Abuja based politicians, who are working for the ruling party, APC.
“The rumours making the rounds about Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe is mere mischief and fabrication of his enemies who are out to tarnish his image within and outside the party, where those within the party have tried their treacherous slander but to no avail, during the primary election
” People of Borno Senatorial District are solidly behind the PDP and more people are trooping into the party daily, following our mobilization on come out and vote initiative, introduced by Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe and his team.
“Although, Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe has already filed a suit against Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia in court to reclaim his mandate, it is worthy to note that the people of Borno Central Senatorial District and the entire state are watching with keen interest as things unfold,” Umar said.
Speaking to journalists also, the Chairman of the Group, Tijani Ahmed Yerwama said, ” we call on our teeming supporters and members to remain calm and loyal to our candidate. We should continue to be resilient and steadfast. We should disregard all negativities against our candidate. We should stand firm by his side.
” We should continue to mobilize for Hon. Jibrin Mustapha Tatabe while we await the decision of the court. Please don’t relent in your quest for good leadership and representation at the National Assembly. Winning the 2023 polls is our goal to achieve come the general election”, Yerwama said.
