By Sahel Reporters
Constituents of Takum, Ussa, and Donga Federal Constituency have on Sunday rejected ailing ex-Taraba State House of Assembly lawmaker, Capt. Douglas Ndatse Yahaya, to represent them at the National Assembly in 2027.
Some eligible voters, who spoke to newsmen via a telephone conversation in Jalingo, expressed worry that Ndatse’s health situation had deteriorated to the extent that he cannot walk without being supported by four or six people.
A voter from Ussa, Iriminde Sentim, who lamented over Ndatse’s deteriorating health, noted that his condition led to voters’ decision to reject his candidacy.
“The condition of Ndatse as it is now is like that of President Paul Biya of Cameroon. We need a strong and healthy candidate who will, in the end, represent us well at the National Assembly.
“He struggled to work, and with this condition, what is he looking for? After serving as a lawmaker for a good twenty-two years at the state house of assembly.
It is disheartening that he still believed that he could run for the Federal House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections,” he lamented.
According to him, the rejection is not just about Capt. Ndatse’s health but about the future of the constituency.
“With 22 years of service as a lawmaker and Chairman of Donga LGC, voters are questioning why he would seek another term in office despite his physical limitations and the fact that he lost the National Assembly Primary election in 2023 and took a ticket for the State House of Assembly, but still lost.
“It is very clear that he has been rejected indeed and can never win the election as his time is over. And I advised that any political party that files Capt Ndatse as a candidate has failed abinitio and will not win the position they are filing him for?” he added.
Also, a member of ADC from Donga LGA, Pamaga Davies, revealed that despite fighting to join the African Democratic Congress ADC, Ndatse was rejected from being registered in his Asibiti of Donga.
He noted that the people of Asibiti ward in Donga outrightly rejected Ndatse because of the rule played recently, while unveiling the ADC in the area.
“Ndatse is sick, and he can’t even walk, supporting him is like wasting our time and possibly our votes,” he added.
He highlighted that as the constituency looks towards the future, voters are seeking a candidate who can effectively represent their interests and drive development in their areas.
