By Bashir Adamu, Jalingo
Kabiru Bello Badawaire, the All Progressives Congress, APC, flagbearer for the Taraba North Senatorial District, has declared that he will not withdraw from the legislative race. He insists that he remains the party’s valid candidate recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The senatorial candidate made the firm declaration over the weekend in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, amid swirling speculations regarding his alleged replacement on the ballot.
Badawaire said neither the APC national leadership nor the electoral umpire has communicated any official decision to substitute his name. He emphasized that he will not betray the popular mandate freely given to him by the people of the constituency by stepping aside for anyone.
The politician argued that the Electoral Act strictly outlines the legal framework for candidate substitution, which requires a voluntary, written withdrawal notice. He maintained that since he has neither resigned nor submitted any letter relinquishing his ticket, any attempt to replace him outside the law constitutes a flagrant violation of due process.
