By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party for Jalingo Yorro and Zing, House of Representatives by-election, Hon. Innocent Jabayang, on Wednesday said he is disappointed at the decision of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Taraba state chapter, over her last minute decision against him in the election.
Periscope Nigeria reports that the Christian umpire body in Taraba had on Saturday, 3rd. Feb. 2024, a day slated for the Jalingo Yorro and Zing house of Representative bye-election, issued a press release informing all Christian in the constituency to vote for the people’s democratic party (PDP), candidate, Hon. Sadiq Abas Tafida.
CAN, claimed in the statement that the SDP candidate had withdraw from the contest following his meeting with governore Agbu Kefas, and has adequately informed them of his decision.
Recall that the state CAN chairman, Rev. Magaji Jirapye, had also said during a press briefing in Jalingo that CAN did not force the SDP candidate to withdraw from the contest.
However, when contacted, Hon. Jabayang described CAN position as disappointing, injurious and a last minute tactics to ensure the government candidate emerges at the poll.
“I am disappointed with the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Taraba state. I am a member of CAN but I must say, I am disappointed over the leadership’s last minute decision against me in the last Saturday bye-election.
“I would have won the election before 1: PM, if not because of the CAN false publication against me that I have stepdown. My supporters became weak until most of them were convinced that I am still in the race, and didn’t sell out their mandate.
“I have not withdrawn from the election, I am still in the contest. I want all my supporters to remain confident for our victory. I want to inform all my supporters and other Nigerians that, I didn’t collect money from Governor Kefas or anyone from other political party to withdraw from the election. I did not as well, reached any agreement with anybody to withdraw from the election.
“I want to inform Tarabans especially my supporters that, CAN statement was just a mere tactics to gain support for the government candidate. CAN saw the prospect of my victory and were desperate to distract it.
“Both CAN and PDP approached me to stepdown for Hon.Tafida but I told them to go back to my constituents, especially the Mumuye cultural association who asked me to contest, and have been doing everything for the movement. They refused to approach my people, they said the condition was too difficult to approach.
“I did not ask them for money, I only asked them to contact the people who saw credibility in me and have decided to sponsor me for the election.
“How can I withdraw from an election that even the devil knows that I am a winner? My supporters and the Mumuye cultural association would kill me if i sell out their mandate for any reason.
“I want all my supporters and the Mumuye cultural association not be distracted. I want them to remain focus and come in Mass for the rerun election to vote, defend their votes for my victory. I want them not to be distracted by CAN but to be focus to vote for me,” Jabayang expressed.
