The candidate of Accord Party for Kogi West Senatorial District, Samuel Bamidele, has debunked rumours making the rounds in the district that he has stepped down from the race to support incumbent Senator Smart Adeyemi of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The rebuttal came on the heels of speculations on Monday that Mr. Bamidele, popularly known as Aro, had stepped down and is therefore not a candidate for Saturday’s national assembly election in the state.
But speaking with PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone on Tuesday, the AP senatorial candidate insisted that he is still in the race.
“How can I step down four days to the election and without consulting my people first?” he asked. “As we speak, my campaign is going on well and we are poised for victory”.
He also said the rumours of his purported withdrawal may have been ignited by the camps of his opponents because they fear imminent defeat.
“I know that Smart and even Dino (Melaye) are behind these wicked rumours, but it can’t help them”, he said.
On his chances Saturday, Bamidele said he was sure of emerging winner.
“We are trusting God, just wait for Saturday and see how the mighty would fall”, he said.
The race for the Kogi West Senatorial District is between the three major contenders; Sen. Adeyemi of the PDP, Melaye of APC and Bamidele of AP.
Both Melaye and Bamidele were once members of the House of Representatives while Mr. Adeyemi, a former NUJ President, is seeking to return to the Senate for the third time.