Gulak accuses PDP of substituting his name in senate race

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, and now a senatorial candidate, Barrister Aliyu Ahmed Gulak has accused the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of substituting his name as the substantive Senatorial candidate of Adamawa North Senatorial zone under the banner of the party in Adamawa State.

Barrister Gulak maintained that he is the only authentic candidate of the party for the northern senatorial seat, stressing that he will go to any length to redress his being short changed.

Gulak disclosed the development in Yola yesterday during a press conference, explaining that he partook in the party primaries that was conducted in Abuja and defeated six other aspirants to win the contest with 84 votes, noting that with that development, he remains the candidate of the party.

“Seven of us contested the seat and I emerged victorious in Abuja, with 84 votes against six other contestants and the results of the primaries are documented for anybody to see” he said.

He added that a candidate can only be substituted if he either dies or has willingly resigned through writing adding that he is not dead or resigned from the contest.

He noted that the substitution of his name with that of the state Governor, Bala Ngillari remains null and void having fulfilled all requirements of the primary contest which made the party to submit his name to INEC having emerged the winner of the contest.

“I am the authentic candidate for Northern Senatorial having contested and won the primaries with 84 votes. The substitution of my name with that of Bala Ngillari remains null and void and the results of the primaries have been documented for anyone to see,” he noted.

Gulak noted that there was no way Ngillari could become the candidate of the party as he has not even contested the ticket, noting that the governor bought the gubernatorial ticket and was even screened and cleared in Bauchi State and did not vie for the senate ticket.

While reacting over the development, Adamawa State Governor, Barrister Bala James Ngillari who spoke through his Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Pineas Elisha dismissed the claims by Gulak, noting that he is the substantive candidate of the zone as the party has duly endorsed and submitted his name to INEC.

“Right now his name was the one approved and pasted on INEC notice board and he was duly given the certificate of return. As far as PDP is concerned Barr Bala Ngillari is the candidate for the northern senatorial district.” he said.