THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disqualified the Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Umar Fintiri, from participating in the October 11, 2014 governorship bye-election in the State.
Announcing this verdict after the screening exercise that ended shortly before 9 pm yesterday, the party’s screening panel presided over by former deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Nasir Mantu, anchored its decision on section 191 of the Constitution, pointing out that as an Acting Governor, Fintiri was not supposed to seek to transform himself into a substantive governor.
Mantu explained that Fintiri’s case was unlike that of a deputy governor that was allowed by the constitution to become a governor upon the removal of the governor.
He stated that Fintiri was supposed to be “a mid-wife” and not the one carrying the “baby”, adding that the acting governor was supposed to ensure a transparent, free and fair election instead of participating as a contestant.
Section 191 (1) of the constitution reads:
(2)The Deputy Governor of a State shall hold the office of Governor of the State if the office of Governor becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal of the governor from office for any other reason in accordance with section 188 or 189 of this constitution.
(3) Where any vacancy occurs in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) of this section during a period when the office of Deputy Governor of the State is also vacant, the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State shall hold the office of Governor of the State for a period of not more than three months, during which there shall be an election of a new Governor of the State who shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the last holder of the office.
After having a brief session that lasted about 15 minutes with the screening panel earlier, Fintiri stormed out of the national secretariat without a word to waiting journalists.
And having waited in vain to be invited for interrogation by the panel earlier in the day, Fintiri left the secretariat to an unknown destination and returned three hours later.
The screening started at 1.00 pm, an hour later than the 12 noon earlier scheduled for its commencement.
Those screened and cleared are: Mohammed Buba Marwa, Nuhu Ribadu, Jerry Kumdisi, Andrawus Sawa, Aliyu Kama, Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo, Ardo Umar, Abubakar Girei, Awwal Tukur, Ahmed Gulak, Idi Hong, Marcus Gundiri and James Bakar
The aspirants were screened in the order in which they arrived at the Wadata Plaza PDP national secretariat venue of the exercise, except that Marwa, who complained of being slightly ill was allowed to be screened first.
The screening proper was woven around issues of party loyalty, financial commitment to the party, tax issues and many more. Most of the aspirants expressed satisfaction with the exercise, but Ardo expressed dismay with the granting of waiver to Ribadu, Marwa and Gundiri.
According to him, the waiver ought to have emanated from the State PDP, instead of the National leadership of the party in Abuja.
But Ribadu, who exhibited a high level of confidence after the screening, was of the view that although the race may be tough, the emphasis should be on the need to restore good governance in Adamawa State for the benefit of the people.
He said: “I am in this race for Nigeria and for Adamawa people. I am confident that the best will come out of it for Adamawa State and the people.”
He continued: “The process went on well. I am okay with everything that took place. I pray to God that for the good of the country, for the good of the people of Adamawa, what is going on today is probably a turning point and change that is coming in Nigeria and Adamawa State. My expectation is positive and fantastic. It is all about the country, it is all about the people of Adamawa. I am happy”
Tukur in his remark after the screening spoke against a do or die attitude in the contest. He urged all the aspirants to be guided by the spirit of good sportsmanship so that peace and unity would be achieved in Adamawa.
