The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Taraba North, Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, has dismissed reports alleging that he has been replaced as the party’s flag bearer, insisting that he remains the duly nominated candidate and has no intention of withdrawing from the race.

 

Speaking on Saturday in Jalingo, Bandawaire said he was validly elected as the APC candidate and remains the candidate recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

He described reports claiming that the APC had substituted his name with that of the incumbent senator, Shuibu Isa Lau, as false, misleading, and lacking any official basis.

 

“I will not withdraw from the senatorial race to represent Taraba North Senatorial District. I am the candidate and will not step aside for any individual,” Bandawaire declared.

 

“I cannot sell out the mandate given to me by the people. I am not aware of any replacement, and the party has not communicated such a decision to me.”

 

The APC candidate maintained that the Electoral Act clearly stipulates the procedure for the substitution of candidates, emphasizing that a duly nominated candidate can only be replaced after voluntarily withdrawing from the contest.

 

According to him, he has neither expressed any intention to withdraw nor submitted any letter to the party indicating such a decision.

 

“I do not look like someone who will withdraw from the race, and that mandate remains mine. The party must respect due process,” he said.

Bandawaire further described the alleged substitution as undemocratic, insisting that any attempt to replace him must strictly comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

 

“I wish to inform the people of Taraba that my name has not been replaced by anyone. I remain the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Taraba North and will not withdraw for anybody,” he stated.

 

As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not issued any official statement regarding the alleged substitution, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not announced any change to the party’s senatorial candidate for Taraba North.