The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Mr Omar Suleiman, has approached the court to challenge what he described as an alleged unlawful replacement of his name by the party ahead of the election.
Suleiman said he remains the legitimate candidate of the ADC after emerging winner of the party’s governorship primary election, insisting that the mandate given to him by party members cannot be overturned through political influence.
Speaking during a press conference in Yola, Adamawa State, on Friday, Suleiman expressed concern over reports that his name had been replaced with that of Alhaji Hamantukur Modibbo as the party’s governorship candidate.
He alleged that the development received backing from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is associated with the ADC’s national leadership.
Suleiman described the reported endorsement of Modibbo as unexpected, considering Atiku’s position and influence within the party.
Candidate seeks legal protection
Suleiman stated that he has filed a case at the Federal High Court to protect what he called the authentic outcome of the ADC governorship primary.
He explained that the primary election was conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and witnessed by party members, stakeholders and observers.
According to him, he defeated Modibbo during the primary election, after which his name was forwarded to INEC as the recognised governorship candidate of the party.
Suleiman said he approached the court because he anticipated possible attempts to alter the outcome of the election process.
He disclosed that he requested an order restraining INEC from accepting any substitution of his name by the ADC or any other party official pending the determination of the matter.
“I sought judicial intervention to prevent any unlawful substitution of my name,” Suleiman said.
He added that the court documents had already been served on INEC and the ADC leadership at both national and state levels.
Suleiman defends democratic mandate
The ADC candidate argued that the matter was beyond personal ambition, describing it as a question of protecting internal democracy and respecting the decision of party members.
He warned that allowing election results from party primaries to be changed through administrative decisions would weaken democratic principles.
“If party members’ votes can simply be overturned after an election, then democracy is being replaced by individual decisions,” he said.
Suleiman called on Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders to allow due process and avoid actions that could interfere with the ongoing legal process.
He maintained that political leaders must respect fairness, transparency and the rule of law.
Appeal for calm among supporters
The Adamawa ADC governorship candidate urged party members, supporters and residents of the state to remain calm while the matter is being addressed through legal channels.
He said the choice made by ADC members during the primary election should be respected until a competent court decides otherwise.
“The mandate belongs to the people who gave it, and it cannot simply be taken away by an individual,” he stated.
The ADC and other parties involved have not publicly announced their response to Suleiman’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is one of Nigeria’s registered political parties and has participated in national and state elections.
Candidate selection disputes are common in Nigerian politics, especially where disagreements emerge over party primaries, nomination processes and substitutions before elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for receiving and publishing official candidate lists submitted by political parties after completing.
