A fresh crisis appears to be brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, as the party’s candidate for the Taraba North Senatorial District, Hon. Kabiru Bello Badawaire, has rejected reports of his alleged replacement.
Hon. Badawaire, who keenly contested the recent APC primary with the Incumbent Senator Shuiabu Isa Lau, insisted that he remains the legally recognised flag bearer for the 2027 National Assembly election.
The protesting Badawaire, who declared this on Saturday in a interview with newsmen, said he would not withdraw from the race for any individual, including the incumbent senator representing the district, Senator Lau.
He described media reports that his name had been substituted as unfounded and without official backing.
The acclaimed APC senatorial candidate, maintained that he was validly nominated by the party and duly recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that neither the party nor the electoral umpire had communicated any decision removing him from the ballot.
“I will not withdraw from the senatorial race to represent Taraba North. I am the candidate and I will not step aside for anyone.
“I cannot betray the mandate freely given to me by the people. I am not aware of any replacement and the party has not communicated such a decision to me,” Hon. Badawaire said.
He argued that, the Electoral Act prescribes the conditions under which a political party can substitute a candidate, insisting that a duly nominated candidate can only be replaced in line with the provisions of the law, including voluntary withdrawal through a written notice.
According to him, he has neither withdrawn from the contest nor submitted any letter relinquishing his candidacy, protesting that any attempt to replace him outside the provisions of the law would amount to a violation of due process.
“I do not look like someone who is ready to withdraw from this race. The party must respect due process. My name has not been replaced by anyone. I remain the APC candidate for Taraba North Senatorial District and I will not withdraw for anybody,” he said.
This is coming amid the mounting speculation over the APC’s senatorial ticket in Taraba North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Effort to speak with the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa and the the the APC publicity secretary, Mr Aarin Aritmas was not successful as of the time of filing this report.
