Senator Joshua Dariye, who is
currently serving a 14-year jail term for fraud while serving as Plateau
governor, has picked the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination form to
contest in the 2019 election.
Chindo Dafat, APC Publicity
Secretary in Plateau, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday
in Jos.
Dafat said Dariye’s form was
signed by his ward secretary on his behalf.
He told NAN: “Yes, Sen. Dariye
has picked a nomination form to seek a third term. It is true. He is among
those jostling for the APC ticket in Plateau Central.
“Dariye has filled the form and
submitted to the party.His (Dariye)’s ward secretary came and signed the form
on his behalf. It has been filled and his supporters are already campaigning
ahead of the party primary election.
“Dariye will battle with three
others – Zakari Dimka, Sam Piwuna and Manji Pompori – for the APC ticket.
“ Dariye is still very popular
and relevant in Plateau Central in spite of his current ordeals and can win the
primary elections from the prison.”
He added that Dariye had appealed
his conviction and could have it upturned soon.
“Aside possible success in the
appeal, we are also praying for a state pardon. That is another possibility.
“Dariye is very important to our
party, unfortunately, this happened to him. It is not that we cannot win
elections without him; we can win without him, but he has done a lot and is
well loved by his people.
“Somebody could be in the
hospital or prison and pick a nomination from from there. We have no right to
deny anyone a nomination form. Even INEC cannot stop Dariye from contesting the
2019 elections.
“There is no law that stops him
from buying the form. Whoever comes for the nomination form can get it. I see
it as a constitutional matter. Only the court can disqualify him.
“If Dariye wins elections from
prison, he will not be the first Nigerian to do that. Iyiola Omisore from Osun,
once won a senate seat while in prison,’’ Dafat said.
Shameless people....its a pity... Nigeria my country..
ReplyDeleteThese politicians are funny characters. Someone is serving 14 years jail term and still bought a Senatorial nomination form. Let's just assume he becomes the candidate and eventually wins the election of his constituency, will he be attending Red Chamber's session from prison? State pardon? That's an height of hypocrisy. How sure are you that he'll win his appeal? Except by arrangement.
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