Chief Sheriff Mulade, winner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for the Warri Federal Constituency, has strongly condemned a purported statement circulating on social media claiming that he conceded defeat and endorsed another aspirant.
The campaign organization of Chief Mulade described the publication as fake, fraudulent and the handiwork of desperate political opponents seeking to undermine his victory at the primary election.
In a statement signed by Comrade Friday Ugedi, Director of Media and Publicity, Team Chief Sheriff Mulade Campaign Organization, the group categorically denied reports suggesting that the NDC aspirant had withdrawn from the race or endorsed any other candidate.
According to the statement, Chief Mulade remains the duly elected winner of the NDC primary election and has not at any time issued any statement conceding defeat, stepping down from the contest, or supporting another aspirant.
The campaign organization alleged that the false publication was orchestrated by individuals unsettled by what it described as Chief Mulade’s overwhelming and landslide victory during the primary election.
“The said statement is fake, fraudulent, concocted and the handiwork of desperate, bad-faith individuals who have been rattled by the overwhelming, massive and landslide victory recorded by Chief Sheriff Mulade during the primary election,” the statement read.
The campaign further accused the authors of the publication of attempting to mislead party faithful and manipulate public opinion after allegedly suffering rejection by delegates across the Warri Federal Constituency.
It maintained that Chief Mulade continues to enjoy widespread support from party members, delegates, youths, women and stakeholders across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
The organization expressed concern that some aggrieved individuals had resorted to misinformation, forgery and propaganda instead of accepting the outcome of the primary election.
It therefore urged members of the public, party supporters and media practitioners to disregard the alleged step-down statement, insisting that it did not emanate from Chief Mulade or any official channel of his campaign.
Reaffirming confidence in the electoral process, the campaign stated that Chief Mulade remains committed to the principles of democracy, transparency and justice and believes that the authentic results of the primary election will withstand all scrutiny.
The statement concluded by asserting that no amount of misinformation, blackmail or political desperation could overturn the mandate freely given to Chief Sheriff Mulade by delegates, stressing that his victory remains valid and his aspiration remains firmly on course.
