You can’t contest on our platform, APC tells jailed Dariye

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed never to allow Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye to vie for any elective office on its platform, saying both the Nigerian law and its own constitution prohibit election of persons found guilty of criminal offences.
With this position, the hope of the former Plateau state governor, being speculated to contest the senatorial seat from Kuje Prison, appears sealed.
Dariye was found guilty on July 12 for defrauding the state government while in the saddle as governor for eight years.
The party’s position came against the backdrop of speculation in the media that the former governor was planning a return to the Senate in 2019.
But party spokesman, Yekini Nabena said he was yet to confirm that a form was purchased for Dariye, saying perusal of a list of aspirants who have paid for forms from Plateau state turned up no information.
“I have gone to the list for Plateau state; I did not see his name.
But if somebody has managed to collect the form for him, he will be screened out.
There is no way he can contest on our platform.
“Somebody who has been convicted does not have a right to contest on our platform,” Nabena declared, stressing that he was however in touch with the party’s legal department on the matter.
Dariye, a two-term governor of Plateau state, was elected to the Red Chamber from Plateau Central first in 2011 as a member of the Labour Party, but defected to the APC in 2015.
Upon arraignment, the lawmaker was found guilty of a 15-count charge bordering on fraud and breach of trust by the Gudu Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.