From Gyang Bere, Jos
The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Plateau State, Amb Yohanna Margif has disowned a purported letter being circulated on social media that he has withdrawn from the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State.
Margif in a press statement on Wednesday in Jos said he has not withdrawn from the race and has sworn a court affidavit to affirm that he is the only and authentic governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state.
He described the fabricated letter being circulated by some disgruntled politicians as a fake and calculated attempt to divide the swelling popularity of the party ahead of the 2023 election.
“My attention has been drawn to a purported and illegal letter flying on some social media platforms suggesting that I have withdrawn from the 2023 governorship race in Plateau State under the platform of the Labour Party.
“The illegal letter dated 5 August 2022 carrying Yohana Yilwan Margif was fabricated by some mischief makers and disgruntled political elements who disguised themselves as members of Labour Party in Plateau State to cause havoc and mislead loyal and faithful members of the party.
“I, Amb Yohanna Margif wish to state in clear terms that I have not written any letter of withdrawal from the Governorship race under the platform of the Labour Party in Plateau State,” he said.
“I have not in any way contemplated withdrawing from the 2023 governorship election in Plateau and I will not withdraw from the race because I am in the contest to win the election and bequeath good governance to the people of Plateau State.”
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Margif said some individuals had approached him to relinquish the ticket but being a serious-minded politician, he considered the request unwise to toy with the party mandate and the people’s trust.
“I have taken an oath in a competent court to affirm my position that I have not withdrawn from the Governorship race based on the purported letter and I am not going to do it despite the pressure from certain political quarters,” he explained.
“I wish to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC that I have not withdrawn from the governorship race in Plateau State under the platform of the Labour Party. I remain the authentic and the only governorship candidate of the Party in the state.
“I appeal to INEC, all relevant authorities and members of the public to ignore and disregard the illegal and fabricated letter going viral on social media and should regard it as the handwork of mischief makers and detractors who are working to crack the party and reduce its strength and popularity ahead of the 2023 General Election in Plateau State.”
He called on security agencies to identify arrest and prosecute all those behind the fabricated illegal and misleading letter to serve as a deterrent to other mischief makers and disgruntled politicians who have the intention to carry out such havoc in the future.
Margif encouraged the party faithful and supporters of the Labour Party in the state to remain resolute and courageous in pursuing the ideals of the party towards winning the 2023 election.