Nasarawa State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Ombugadu has denied reports suggesting that he planned to dethrone some traditional rulers, describing it as false and baseless.
A statement yesterday in Abuja signed by director, Media and Publicity for David Ombugadu Campaign Organisation, Mike Omeri, said his principal harbours no motives to engage in any such actions targeting traditional rulers based on their religion.
There have been reports in some sections of the media alleging that the PDP candidate, who was declared winner by the election tribunal on Monday, 2nd October planned to dethrone some emirs in the state upon assuming office.
The reports alleged Ombugadu plans to replace the said “Muslim” traditional leaders with “Christians”.
He also refuted the reports suggesting that the discussions regarding the alleged dethronement occurred during a meeting held at the residence of one of their leaders in Abuja.
The statement reads in part: “Dr. Ombugadu harbours no ulterior motive to replace some Muslim traditional rulers with Christians when he eventually takes up the reins of government.
“The claims in the media report that such a sinister plot was hatched at a meeting in the residence of one of our leaders in Abuja is the figment of the warped imagination of the purveyors of this fake news.
“For the record, Dr. Ombugadu has consistently demonstrated a deep respect for the traditional institutions in Nasarawa State and recognizes their vital role in preserving the culture and heritage of the people. He values the contributions of traditional rulers to the development and stability of the state.”
Omeri, however, advised the media to be diligent and to verify the accuracy of the stories from their sources before they are published, as it is crucial to uphold responsible journalism and refrain from spreading information that can be damaging to people’s reputations.
Mike reiterated that Ombugadu remains committed to working for the betterment of the state and upholding the rule of law.
“We encourage the media to exercise due diligence and verify the accuracy of their sources before publishing such claims. It is crucial to uphold responsible journalism and refrain from spreading misinformation that can be damaging to the reputation of individuals.
He stressed that Ombugadu remains committed to working for the betterment of Nasarawa State, upholding the rule of law, and fostering cooperation among all stakeholders, including traditional leaders.
“We look forward to a productive and positive relationship with all segments of the state as we work towards a brighter future,” he added.
