The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the action of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, as a “civilian coup”.
PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum made the remark during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that the REC had, while collation of the results of the supplementary governorship election held in the state was ongoing, announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the gubernatorial election.
The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, had distanced itself from the REC’s action, declaring the announcement null and void.
The electoral umpire has asked the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute the Commissioner.
Speaking on the matter, the PDP Acting Chairman told journalists that the incumbent governor and candidate of PDP, Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, was already in a clear lead.
According to him, results from the polling units indicated that the governor was leading, asking INEC to announce the results without delay.
He said, “This action by Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari amounts to a “Civilian Coup” with the intention to take control and install an illegal government in Adamawa State contrary to the provision of Section 1 Sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“The PDP, majority of Nigerians and indeed the International Community are now worried that in spite of the results of the election as obtained from the Polling Units, which show Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri in clear lead, INEC has continued to delay the conclusion of official collation, announcement and declaration of the rightful winner of the election”.
