Ahead of Saturday by-election into the Sokoto State House of Assembly, SOHA, from Kebbe constituency of the state, the state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has called on the people of the area to beware of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC’s antics.
Governor Tambuwal spoke during the inauguration of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the by-election, Adamu Abubakar, against the backdrop of a rumor that the APC’s candidate, Abubakar Bello, who stepped down from contesting would be substituted.
“It is a lie that the APC will replace its candidate who stepped down. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued a statement that the APC candidate won’t be substituted.
“So, don’t allow yourselves to be deceived as some APC leaders have over time proved themselves as serial liars. Next tomorrow you should go out and vote for PDP candidate,” a statement on Thursday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, quoted Mr Tambuwal as saying while addressing the people of Kebbe.
In a letter dated March 10, and signed by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Orianran-Anthony, the Commission responded to APC’s request for the substitution of its candidate in the Kebbe by-election and others by writing inter alia: “the timetable and schedule of activities which governs these elections does not provide for withdrawal and substitution of candidates,” except in the case of death as stipulated by Sec. 36 (1) of the Electoral Act (as amended).
Speaking at the inauguration, the state PDP Chairman, Ibrahim Milgoma, assured the people of the area that with the indicators on ground, “next tomorrow the PDP will fill the post left vacant by the death of Harisu.”
He added that, “history is repeating itself. Before now, they (APC) thought they have won the Senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly seats. But, gradually, Allah has returned all the seats to the PDP.”
