Hamza Al-Mustapha, a retired major general and presidential candidate of Action Alliance (AA) says he did not step down nor adopted Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP in the Saturday election.
Al-Mustapha made this known while appearing on a Human Rights Radio FM, Abuja, and monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
He said the insinuation that he had stepped down to back Abubakar was not true, describing the statement credited to the factional chairman of AA, Mr Kenneth Udeze, through whom he emerged as a candidate, “as a scam.”
“The announcement by someone (Udeze) that Action Alliance is supporting Atiku was a scam.
“Action Alliance has not endorsed anybody. I am still in the race and if I am going to lose, I will lose pretty well and if I am going to win, I will win pretty well,” he said.
Al-Mustapha, who is a factional presidential candidate of AA recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said he had not discussed with anyone as to his withdrawal or adoption of any other candidate.
He urged Nigerians to disregard such a comment.
NAN reports that the party, currently, is divided into two factions with two presidential candidates.
While Mr Solomon-David Akanigbuan emerged as presidential candidate of Dr Adekunle Omo-Aje-led leadership of AA, Mr Al-Mustapha was elected as presidential candidate of Udeze-led leadership of the party.
However, a number of court judgments and rulings had recognised Omo-Aje as the valid chairman of the party to submit names of candidates to INEC while affirming the expulsion of Udeze from the party.
