Mohammed Abacha,
son of late former military Head of state, Sani Abacha, yesterday
alleged at a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the Congress for
Progressive Change (CPC), plans to change his name which was earlier
submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as
the governorship candidate of the party for Kano State.
Mr Abacha’s name
appeared on the list of candidates displayed by INEC in Kano State,
against earlier speculations that his closest rival, Lawal Ja’afaru
Isah was the CPC’s candidate submitted to the electoral body.
The party had
recently expressed its outrage over the alleged doctoring of the list
of candidates it submitted to the Commission last week.
The national
chairman of the party, Tony Momoh, told journalists in Abuja that the
commission disobeyed the provisions of the enabling law by substituting
some names which it submitted to it for approval.
Apparently
referring to the display of Mr Abacha’s name, as the CPC gubernatorial
candidate in Kano State. Mr Momoh insisted that only the parties had
the right to choose who contests on their platform and not the
commission.
Mr Abacha through
his counsel, Abdullahi Haruna, wants the court to declare that INEC
should not recognise any other governorship candidate from the CPC
except him.
In his statement to
the court, he said that “I have lately gathered from sources in the
national secretariat of the 1st defendant that the name of the 3rd
defendant has been confidently agreed to be submitted to the 3rd
defendant in substitution for me as the gubernatorial candidate of the
1st defendant in Kano State for no just cause.” Furthermore, he said
the National Secretary, has launched a media campaign against his
candidature and has vowed to do everything to substitute his name with
that of Mr Isah.
“ That an interview
aired on the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) Radio at 5:a.m on 8th February, 2011, the 1st defendant’s
National Secretary challenged my candidature and vowed to do everything
to remove me as the candidate of the 1st defendant in the Governorship
election for Kano State slated for April, 2011.”
Mr Abacha, was
earlier in court seeking for an order restraining the CPC, from
submitting any other name other than his name to INEC. In the suit, the
CPC is 1st defendant, INEC 2nd defendant, Mr Isah 3rd defendant.
“The result of the
election was authenticated by officials of INEC and personnel of the
State Security Service as well as officials of the Nigeria Police
Force. This result was also announced by CPC Electoral Committee
Chairman, M.D. Sulaiman.” He added.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned hearing of the matter to Tuesday February 15.
