By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, one of the governorship aspirants of the Nyesome Wike-backed main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State in the initial and fresh primary elections conducted, has clarified that he did not declare himself winner of the primaries as reported in the media, saying that he has no such powers to do so.
He however maintained that in the present circumstances and considering the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on party membership, he, having come second in the primaries ought to have been declared winner by the Electoral Committee of the PDP led by Shekarau.
Speaking to Our Correspondent, Wednesday evening, he said that, “I have read many headlines that I declared myself the winner of Tuesday’s fresh governorship primary, I cannot do that because I am not the authority to do that. I have been musqouted out of context in my press conference after the exercise.”
Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki who came second with a total of 389 votes, claims that those are the lawful votes cast for him as a registered member of the PDP which are enough to make him winner because the next aspirant polled fewer votes.
He however frowned at the Pantami’s eligibility, insisting that Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami should not have been allowed to participate in the fresh primary because he did not meet the party guidelines of membership before the initial primary elections while citing Apex Court recent judgment over the similar matter.
He also said that he would challenge the Pantami’s participation in court because he has the constitutional right to do so under the relevant laws of the country, maintaining that the process should have excluded Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki nevertheless argued that issues surrounding Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami’s eligibility remained unresolved and formed part of the basis for his decision to challenge it.
He said while the fresh primary was conducted according to the laid-down procedure, the inclusion of Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami in the contest rendered the whole process contestable.
Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki also commended the PDP leadership in Gombe State, particularly former Governor and Senator, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for what he described as efforts to ensure fairness and adherence to due process within the party.
The fresh primary was held on Tuesday, September 29, after the PDP cleared Pantami, Mailantarki and Garry to contest.
Recall that the Federal High Court, in its judgment delivered on September 24, had nullified the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
The court, however, did not expressly bar Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami from contesting the fresh primary.
