Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Taraba Rep bye-election: I am disappointed at CAN. SDP candidate.

 



From Godwin Agia, Jalingo


The candidate of the Social Democratic party (SDP), for Jalingo Yorro and Zing, house of Representative bye-election, Hon. Innocent Jabayang on Wednesday said, he is disappointed at the decision of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Taraba state chapter, over her last-minute decision against him in the election.

Our correspondent reports that the Christian umpire body in Taraba had on Saturday, the 3rd. Feb. 2024, a day slated for the Jalingo Yorro and Zing House of Representative bye-election, issued a press release informing all Christians in the constituency to vote for the People's democratic party (PDP), candidate, Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida.

CAN, claimed in the statement that the SDP candidate had withdrawn from the contest following his meeting with Governor Agbu Kefas, and had adequately informed them of his decision.

 The state CAN chairman, Rev. Magaji Jirapye had also said during a press briefing in Jalingo that CAN did not force the SDP candidate to withdraw from the contest.

However, when contacted, Hon. Jabayang described CAN's position as disappointing, injurious, and a last-minute tactic to ensure the government candidate emerged at the poll.

"I am disappointed at the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Taraba state. I am a member of CAN but I must say, I am disappointed over the leadership's last-minute decision against me in the last Saturday bye-election.

"I would have won the election before 1:Pm, if not because of the CAN false publication against me that I have stepped down. My supporters became weak until most of them were convinced that I was still in the race, and didn't sell out their mandate. 

"I have not withdrawn from the election, I am still in the contest. I want all my supporters to remain confident in our victory. I want to inform all my supporters and other Nigerians that, I didn't collect money from Governor Kefas or anyone from other political party to withdraw from the election. I did not as well, reach any agreement with anybody to withdraw from the election.

"I want to inform Tarabans especially my supporters that, the CAN statement was just a mere tactic to gain support for the government candidate. CAN saw the prospect of my victory and was desperate to distract it.

"Both CAN and PDP approached me to step down for Hon.Tafida but I told them to go back to my constituents, especially the Mumuye cultural association who asked me to contest, and has been doing everything for the movement. They refused to approach my people, they said the condition was too difficult to approach.

"I did not ask them for money, I only asked them to contact the people who saw credibility in me and have decided to sponsor me for the election.

"How can I withdraw from an election that even the devil knows that I am a winner? My supporters and the Mumuye Cultural Association would kill me if I sold out their mandate for any reason.

"I want all my supporters and the Mumuye cultural association not to be distracted. I want them to remain focused and come en Mass for the supplementary election to vote, and defend their votes for my victory. I want them not to be distracted by CAN but to be focused to vote for me". Jabayang expressed.

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