Marwa robbed of PDP ticket, says support group

The Democratic Young Patriots (DYP), a group that prides itself on advocating patriotism, has alleged that the scheming of a cabal was responsible for the loss of Buba Marwa, the former military administrator of Lagos and Borno states, in the just-concluded primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa state.

Commending Marwa for conceding defeat, DYP said his legacies would live on, and urged him not to be discouraged and rally round PDP in the forthcoming 2015 election.

“Though the Adamawa PDP governorship primary has come and gone, as a group, we have since found out that Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) lost to a vested interest and the desperation of a highly connected cabal scheming for the 2019 Presidency,” DYP wrote in statement signed by Ariyo-Dare Atoye, its national coordinator.

“We didn’t take this allegation of conspiracy seriously when it appeared in the media, until we read about the arrangement brokered in the purported interest of Adamawa Central.

“We make bold to say that the zonal arrangement was an afterthought and a gamble meant to serve the narrow interest of this new cabal. The arrangement is illogical and has neither a force of law nor is it embedded with a sound political strategy.

“It is a pure gamble to actualise this 2019 interest.  They plotted against Marwa in the primary not because they love the acting governor who won, but to perfect this political gamble for an interest that will do their 2019 bidding. This desperate plan will become visible to interested PDP members and Nigerians very soon.”

The group accepted the outcome of the PDP primary in good faith, but reminded all those behind the plot that their agenda would fail.

“They have only seen today, but tomorrow is certainly beyond them. We are going to hold them responsible if their scheming goes awry and leads to President Goodluck Jonathan losing Adamawa in 2015 or it threatens the peace and security of Adamawa state.

“We however commend the spirit of sportsmanship demonstrated by Gen. Marwa and other contestants. Marwa’s legacies endure and he remains an inspiration to the Nigerian youths.

“No latest politics can undo what he has done in the past or prevent what GOD will use him to do next. We encourage you to remain a loyal party man and work for the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. You are a leader in whom we trust.”

With 54 votes, Marwa emerged third at the primary behind Dr. Ahmed Modibbo, former Universal Basic Education Commission boss, who scored 197 votes; and Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, who polled 624 votes to emerge winner.

The other contestants, Dr Umar Ardo and Jerry Kundisi, had nine and four votes respectively.