BY NONYELUM JULIET
Kaduna
Hon. Usman Ibrahim, known as Sardaunan Badarawa has clarified the controversy surrounding People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP), Candidature of Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, saying he remains authentic and duly elected flag bearer of the party ahead 2023 general election.
The clarification, Hon. Ibrahim said had become necessary to set the record straight and correct misconception he noted in some quarters spread by some mischief makers to cause confusion in the camp of PDP in the run-up to 2023 polls.
He affirmed that his party, the PDP had not substituted his name with any candidate’s as mischievously peddled, according to him by individuals he termed fifth columnists whose motive he declared was to cause confusion in our great party so that APC’s candidate would have an easy ride of winning the general election.
” They seem to be deliberate in their illusion, mischief and confusion in peddling falsehood with the motive of creating uncertainty among our supporters who are determined to cast their vote for me in February next year.
” The Appellate Court pronouncement did not in anyway say Mr. LA should be our party’s candidate in 2023 general election as his supporters would want us to believe.
” The Appeal Court in its wisdom only referred to the prerogative and authority of fielding candidate to our party, saying it is the party that reserves the exclusive right to send names of her flag bearers to the election umpire.
” My party, the PDP has long affirmed me as her legit and duly elected kaduna central senatorial candidate and has given me a certificate of return after I emerged victorious at the party’s conducted primary election.
” By this, I am calling on all my supporters home and abroad to disregard the fake news propagated by people who do not wish us well in this contest after they have lost out.
” I remain the candidate of PDP kaduna central zone in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
” Though, my legal counsel in their wisdom advised We go to the Supreme court as law-abiding citizens and democrats with firm belief in our judicial system for its interpretation.
” I oblige because I don’t want to leave any stone unturned and take chances for granted in my quest to lead my people and ensure the protection of their welfare through selfless representation at the Senate when we emerge triumphant after the 2023 poll.
Lead counsel to the Senatorial hopeful , Barrister Samuel Atung (SAN) while collaborating the submission of his client declared that”, until the Supreme court rules otherwise, Sardaunan Badarawa remains the duly elected candidate of PDP in 2023 kaduna Central Senatorial election.
” We are optimistic, considering the earlier victory we secured at the High Court where we proved our case beyond reasonable doubt that the primary election that brought Mr . LA was marred by irregularities, including over-voting.
” Our victory was welcomed by leadership of the party at national and state level which promoted a repeat exercise in compliance with the court judgement and our client, Usman Ibrahim won with a landslide.
” As far as we know in all judicial sense and rational expectations, he remains the party’s candidate in as much as PDP has not sent a contrary name to INEC as a substitute”, he assured .
