Umar Namadi, Jigawa All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for March 11 governorship poll, has tasked stakeholders for unity to ensure clear victory at the 2023 general election.
Namadi said this when he reacted to the Supreme Court ruling which affirmed his election as the party’s governorship candidate for March 11 election.
“I received with ultimate delight and gratitude to Allah, the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which brings to an end to the long judicial impasse that greeted the aftermath of the governorship primary election which I successfully emerged as the candidate of our great party the APC in Jigawa in the 2023 election.
“This verdict has further reinforced my belief in Allah’s hand in the Jigawa project which I have embarked on, the judgment is also an opportunity for us, as members and leaders of the APC to sheath the swords, forget, forgive and work together for the victory of our party at all levels.
“My earlier stands on the previous court’s judgement remains – I’m neither a victor nor a vanquished so also my comrade, Farouk Aliyu
“The victory is for all members of the APC and the people of Jigawa which we intend to serve, and I’m using this opportunity to extend my profound appreciation to all members of the party,” he said.
Namadi added: “Let me further call on all aggrieved members and leaders who work so hard for the growth and progress of the party to join hands together, and work for the success of the APC, being the only party with the populace at heart.”
Also speaking, Farouk Aliyu, a former governorship aspirant, who challenged the election of Namadi in court, said it was time to unite toward victory in the general election.
Aliyu, who spoke with newsmen in Birnin Kudu, promised to work for the victory of APC at all levels.
“I wish to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah for making it possible to see the end of this case which was started since the commencement of political activities last year.
“Having indicated my interest in contesting the position of the governorship candidate under our great party the APC, the primary election was not freely conducted as per our party constitution, INEC guidelines, Electoral Act, 2022 and the constitution of the FRN 1999 as amended.
“Numerous party members, supporters and I having been dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary election resolved to seek redress in the court of law, which started at the Federal High Court Dutse through Court of Appeal Kano Division and ended today at the Supreme Court where all our cases were dismissed,” he said.
He said that he accepted the judgment in good faith and urged his supporters to do same.
The APC chieftain also pledged to work for the victory of the party at all levels in the general election.
“As strong believer in democracy and rule of law, I have accepted the outcome of the judgment in good faith and urge our supporters to do same and remain calm.
“I wish to assure you as one of the founding members and a leader of APC, my supporters and I will work for the success our Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governorship Candidate, Umar Namadi, the Deputy Governor of Jigawa and our candidates of National and State Assembly,” Aliyu said.
The Apex Court had in a unanimous judgment prepared by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun upheld the May 26 primaries of the party which produced Namadi as the winner.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa on behalf of the Court, the appeal filed by Aliyu, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives was dismissed in its entirety.
