The scramble for the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) ticket for the October 11 governorship bye-
election in Adamawa State has taken a new twist.
Seven of the 14 aspirants have called for the
disqualification of five of their co-aspirants from
the race, alleging that they are not members of
the PDP.
The petitioners are – Umar Ardo, Ahmed Gulak,
James Barka, Andrawus Sawa, Abubakar Girei, Idi
Hong and Awwal Tukur.
In their petition, dated August 28 and addressed
to the leadership of the party, they listed Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu, Buba Marwa, Mohammed Modibbo,
Marcus Gundiri and Aliyu Kama.
The petitioners stated that the five aspirants are
not members of the party and therefore should
not be allowed to contest the election.
They said, “While on personal level we have
absolutely no reason to wish to inhibit them from
contesting the governorship of our state under
the platform of our great party – for they are all
eminently qualified.
“But on the principle of playing a healthy political
game, everybody must play according to the rules
of the game. On this ground therefore we object
to their contest as their participation will be an
aberration to the election process. The issues
against them are both constitutional and moral.
“Constitutionally, Mallam Ribadu, Engr. Gundiri
and Dr. Modibbo joined the PDP for the first time
only recently, while Marwa and Kama returned to
the PDP also only recently after earlier defecting
from PDP to other political parties.
“Going by the provisions of Sections 50 (9) and
(10) and 8 (b) of the Constitution of the PDP
2012 (as amended), Ribadu, Gundiri and Modibbo
are required to sustain continued membership of
the PDP for a minimum of two years to be eligible
to contest for the post of Governor; while Marwa
and Kama remain on probation for at least one
year, during which they will not be eligible to vote
or be voted for except they are granted waivers
as stipulated.
“Both sides have not met the requirements. The
purpose of the waiting period, subject to waiver,
is to test the fidelity of persons who have joined
or decamped to the party.
“These provisions are important as they are
actually meant to ensure that only credible and
loyal members of the party are allowed the
benefits and privileges of the party and also to
ward off the proclivity of Nigerian politicians to
defect from one party to the other at will without
consequences.”


http://thenationonlineng.net/new/adamawa-seven-aspirants-move-to-stop-ribadu-marwa-three-others/

Hmmmm. Just watching as things will finally work out.