The Adamawa State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador (Engr.) Omar Suleiman, popularly known as Omarana, has raised concerns over an alleged move to replace him with Modibbo Tukur Ribadu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola on Friday, Suleiman questioned the role allegedly played by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the development, following a statement reportedly presenting Ribadu as the party’s governorship candidate.
Suleiman said the development was troubling, particularly because Atiku had consistently presented himself as a strong advocate of democracy and popular participation.
He explained that the ADC governorship primary in Adamawa was conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he emerged as the winner, while Ribadu came second.
He said his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate in line with the outcome of the primary.
Suleiman disclosed that he had approached the Federal High Court to challenge any attempt to alter the result, seeking an injunction to prevent INEC from accepting a purported substitution pending the determination of the case.
According to him, the relevant court documents had been served on INEC and the ADC leadership at both national and state levels. He added that Atiku had also been informed about the pending legal action.
Suleiman appealed to the party leadership to allow the legal process to take its course, arguing that no individual should be able to overturn the decision of party members through political influence.
“This is not about my personal ambition. It is about the sanctity of our democratic process,” he said.
He urged ADC members and supporters to remain calm and continue to pursue the matter through lawful means.
Suleiman maintained that the outcome of the primary should be respected, stressing that the governorship mandate belonged to the party members who participated in the election and not to any individual political leader.