From VICTOR GAI, Jalingo
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Taraba State, has revealed the reason why the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the by elections for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, Innocent Jabayang, stepped down for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sadiq Tafida.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo, dismissed the speculation that they pressurized the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Innocent Jabayang for the by election for Jalingo/Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency to step down for the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sadiq Tafida.
Mr Jirapye said that Jabayang willingly stepped down after the governor consulted him a few hours before the election. He said CAN was only informed after his decision.
Jipreye said: “CAN was informed about the decision because of our earlier resolve to support the aspiration of the SDP candidate.
“When he willingly decided to withdraw to support the PDP candidate, the governor reached out to us because of our earlier resolve and we held a meeting with the SDP candidate and he confirmed his decision to us. CAN did not force him to step down”.
All efforts to reach Jabayang through phone calls and text messages proved abortive.
With this development, the major contenders in the election are Sadiq Abbas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Liman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and Aminu Malle of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
