The political landscape in Adamawa State is heating up as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Suleiman Omar, has publicly called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to refrain from interfering in the party's affairs. This appeal comes in light of Atiku's recent announcement of a purported replacement for Omar, which he claims undermines the democratic process within the party.

During a press conference held in Yola, Omar expressed his dismay at Atiku's statement, which introduced Alhaji Modibbo as the new ADC gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa. He described the move as unconstitutional and a violation of the party's internal processes. "I have read with shock the statement attributed to former Vice President and national leader of the ADC, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar," Omar remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation given Atiku's stature in Nigerian politics.

Omar firmly asserted his position as the legitimate ADC candidate, stating that the party's primary elections were conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and witnessed by party members. He emerged victorious in the primaries, with Modibbo finishing second, and his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as the official candidate.

In response to Atiku's actions, Omar has taken legal steps to protect his candidacy, seeking a court injunction to prevent INEC from accepting any substitutions of his name. He noted that the relevant court processes have been served to both INEC and the national and state levels of the party. "Until the court determines otherwise, no individual—regardless of his position, influence or stature—has the legal or moral authority to rewrite the result of a primary election or substitute his personal preference for the expressed will of party members," he stated.

Omar's appeal to Atiku highlights the need for respect for democratic processes, urging that the mandate belongs to the people and cannot be appropriated by any single individual. He warned that if the votes of party members could be easily overturned, it would signify a dangerous shift away from democracy towards a culture of impunity that Nigerians have consistently rejected.

He called on ADC members and supporters in Adamawa State to remain calm and vigilant as they navigate this political turmoil. "We shall continue to defend our mandate through lawful and democratic means and shall not allow the will of the people to be defeated by political manipulation," Omar declared.

As the situation unfolds, Omar remains steadfast in his commitment to the democratic process, stating that he will wait for the court's final decision before determining his next steps. The political drama surrounding the ADC in Adamawa is set to continue as both Omar and Atiku navigate the complexities of party leadership and electoral legitimacy.