By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has been confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, made the confirmation.
Tambuwal’s name was reportedly missing from the list released by INEC for the 2019 governorship election.
Manir Dan’iya was said to have been listed as the governorship candidate of the PDP.
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However, Tambuwal has now been confirmed to bear the flag of PDP, while Dan’iya has been named as his running mate.
Okoye said the PDP “had just taken advantage of the substitution window to field Tambuwal, the incumbent governor of the state.”
“Now, as you are aware, by the provisions of Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), a candidate validly nominated by a political party may withdraw his candidature by a notice in writing, signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and such a political party shall convey his withdrawal to the INEC,” Okoye reportedly said.
“So it is the responsibility of political parties to nominate candidates for elections but such a party can withdraw a candidate properly nominated, if the candidate withdraws his candidature by a notice in writing signed by himself and delivered to the political party that nominated him.
“As at Friday, the PDP carried out a substitution in relation to their governorship candidate for Sokoto State. They have now nominated Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as the governorship candidate of the PDP for Sokoto State.”
Tambuwal had contested and lost the PDP presidential primary to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
He had, in August, dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP.
Last Wednesday, Ahmed Sokoto, his deputy, resigned his position for reasons not unrelated to the governor’s defection.
Ahmed Sokoto is the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 elections.
