Cyril Mbah, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also begun engaging INEC over the omission of its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the party was working towards an amicable resolution in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.
He assured affected candidates, members and supporters that the party was treating the matter seriously and would communicate further developments when necessary.
The PDP also urged those affected to remain calm and exercise patience while discussions with the commission continued.
This was just as the party warned against actions or statements that could undermine the ongoing engagements with INEC, stressing its commitment to addressing the concerns through lawful means.
INEC released its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections on Saturday.
The list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and published on its website, contained 13 candidates in Ogun State and 16 in Gombe State, with no PDP candidate listed in either state.
Among those omitted were Ladi Adebutu, the PDP candidate in Ogun State, and Isa Ali Pantami, the party’s candidate in Gombe State.
In a statement issued on Monday, by its APC Campaign Council’s spokesperson, Dr. Dele Alake, the Council said it has followed the furore and public reactions to Atiku’s decision to address President Bola Tinubu on a first-name basis as ‘Bola’.
The Council said a higher standard of decorum, decency and deference to constituted authorities is expected from a former Vice President and a presidential aspirant.
It said the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), has failed to live up to those expectations by his unbecoming choice of address for the President and Commander-in-Chief.
The statement said since losing the last presidential election, Atiku has allowed “political animosity and uncontrollable ambition” to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his public conduct and utterances.
According to the APC campaign council, Atiku has chosen not to be a good example of decency in political behaviour but has set himself up as a model of politician the younger generation should never aspire to emulate.
The Council said despite Atiku’s personal choice to disrespect the office he is aspiring to occupy, it has implored all party leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to accord him the respect, courtesies and regard due to him as former Vice President and presidential candidate.
It stressed that as a party grounded in progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect, its campaign council will not follow Atiku’s path.
The statement added that APC spokespersons will not travel Atiku’s route of personal attacks and disrespect.
Instead, the Council said its campaign will focus on issues important to Nigerians, including selling its programmes, President Tinubu’s achievements in office and how the administration is moving the country from reforms to prosperity.
It said the focus remains on how the President is seeking a second-term mandate based on performance, not on trading insults.
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