Adamawa people are still waiting for the final word of the Independent National Electoral Commission over the declaration of Sen. Aishatu Binani, as the governor-elect, following the supplementary election held on Saturday in the State.
Mr Hudu Yunusa, the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), announced Binani, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner, throwing the state into some confusion.
Collation of results was still ongoing at the INEC collation centre in Yola, when Yunuusa made the announcement.
According to him, Binani scored the highest number of votes, hence his decision to declare her as the winner.
Yunusa, however, did not provide the data or the results with which she won the election.
“The APC scored the highest votes. Going by that Aishatu Binani is hereby declared as the elected governor of Adamawa State,” he said.
Binani had since gone ahead to make a victory speech.
Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, the agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the collation centre, described the declaration as baseless and non-binding.
He said only a Returning Officer and not the REC has the powers under the Electoral Act to declare results.
“We call on INEC to hasten sanctioning the Resident Electoral Commissioner for causing deliberate infraction” Hong said.
INEC headquarters waded in and pronounced the declaration as null and void and suspended collation of the results indefinitely.
The Adamawa governorship election being hotly contested by Senator Aisha Binani of APC and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of PDP has been declared inconclusive.
Prof. Mohammed Mele, the state INEC returning officer said that the election was cancelled in 47 registration areas, 69 polling Units with the total number of 41,796 registered voters.
“The number of Permanent Voter Cards (VCs) from the affected polling units in the different Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected is 37,016.
“After the collation we calculated the total number of votes with the two leading candidates with the highest votes, APC with 390,275 and PDP with 421, 524 votes.
“So this gives us the margin of 31,249 and the total number of PVCs collected in the places amounts to 37,916,” he said.
The APC and women groups alleged that there were moves to rig out the only female in the governorship race in the state.
President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau has stressed the need for peace and justice to prevail over the governorship election in Adamawa State.
She made the call on Monday at a news briefing in Abuja, which was attended by various women groups in solidarity to the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Aisha Binani.
Adamu-Lau urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the Adamawa state governorship result and ensure that the will of the people prevailed.
She said that the call became necessary to ease tension that was currently building in the state.
”We want the umpire to uphold the election guidelines and do everything possible to ensure that the result is not manipulated.
“The people have spoken through their votes, it should be allowed to stand, ” she said.
She said the council was monitoring the progress and know that the exercise was postponed to enable verification of the results from Fufore Local Government Area.
“We want INEC to do the needful and release the result for peace to prevail in the state.
“I urged INEC to ensure justice in collating the results before the declaration,” she said.
Lami said that the Nigerian Women still had faith in INEC to do the needful and and ensure that justice prevailed.
Also speaking, Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, stressed the need to end all forms of injustices, violence against women and rape to the Nation’ s democracy.
Tallen, represented by the Senior Special Assistant, Technical, Mrs. Jummai Idomije, said: ” We must get it right this time.
” Enough is enough. Nigerian women believe in the capability of INEC to release a just result so that Nigerian women can have a voice in national development.”
The All Progressives Congress has warned against moves by powerful forces in Adamawa State to alter the victory of Senator Aisha Binani as the elected governor.
In a statement Monday, titled, ADAMAWA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION – EXECUTIVE BRIGANDAGE MUST NOT PREVAIL AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, the APC drew attention to intimidating moves calculated to disrupt final collation and announcement of result of the Governorship election in the state.
The statement by National Publicity secretary Felix Morka reads:
We draw urgent attention of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and our security services to massive thuggery, violence, intimidation and undue pressure by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calculated to disrupt final collation and announcement of result of the Governorship election in Adamawa State.
Election results show a clear and decisive victory for Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate.
Faced with imminent and certain prospect of loss in the election, thugs and political actors led by incumbent Governor, and Candidate of the PDP, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, have unleashed heavily armed thugs to disrupt further collation of result and subvert the will of Adamawa people as expressed at the polls. The Governor is reported to have torn result sheets at the collation centre in a show of unprecedented impunity and executive brigandage.
We are well aware of the massive pressure on INEC and law enforcement authorities to cave in to the inordinate demands of the PDP to subvert final collation and announcement of result. However, we are supremely confident that INEC and our law enforcement authorities will stand firm and conclude the election process in the State as required by law.
The result of election in Fufore Local Government Area of the state must not be tampered with as Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) holds a clear, unassailable lead, only awaiting final collation and declaration by INEC.
Nigeria is on the cusp of a major democratic record with the election and emergence of the first female Governor of a State in the country.
We urge all well meaning Nigerians to stand together to protect and uphold this historic victory for women and our country.
SIGNED:
*Barr. Felix Morka*
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Yola, Adamawa State, called on voters to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate and Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed-Binani, the governorship candidate.
He urged the voters to shun sentiments, and make history by electing Binani as the first female Governor in the country in 2023.
He said her track record of dedication to duty and service will improve the livelihood of citizens.
The President, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Gubernatorial Flagoff of campaigns in Adamawa State, told voters that Sen. Binani had consistently worked for the welfare of the State and indigenes over many years.
He said entrusting her with the Office of the Governor would further strengthen her to reposition the State for greatness.The large crowd in Yola on MondayWomen united for BinaniTinubu hands over APC flag to Aisha BinaniBuhari and Tinubu: Binani on the rightBuhari presents Senator Binani
“Let me remind you of the good fortune that is awaiting your State in 2023 after returning the APC to power at the federal level and electing the party’s candidate as your incoming governor.
“You have been given the opportunity to set a record in the history of Nigeria and the annals of democracy and politics in our country by electing the first ever female chief executive of a state in Nigeria.
“You cannot afford that such a significant opportunity would slip through your fingers.
“I am, therefore, calling on all the men, women and youth of Adamawa State, the northeast and indeed the entire country, to support the candidature of Senator Aisha Binani and ensure her victory in March, 2023,’’ he said.
President Buhari urged the electorate to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President in the forthcoming elections, and candidates of the APC for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.
“I am delighted to be here today in Yola, Adamawa State, to be part of the campaign of our candidates for different offices in the country, starting from presidential, to gubernatorial, national and state assemblies. It is All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom.
“APC for President! APC for Governor! APC for Senate! APC for House of Representatives! APC for Assembly Members!,’’ the President noted.
President Buhari said the APC had a vision of making Adamawa State more peaceful, progressive and prosperous.
“Your contributions in Adamawa State to our national development can be attested to by your output in agriculture, fishery, livestock, industry, manufacturing, commerce, mining, among others.
“Your achievements in the areas of education have made us proud and given us immense joy and satisfaction. Adamawa people are progressive in nature, and it is time to prove it once again.
“Our vision for Adamawa as a peaceful, progressive and prosperous state is strong and enduring. With your perseverance and determination, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make Adamawa a model state in all areas of endeavour,’’ he stated.
The President urged youths in the state and country to pursue values that will bring honor to their families and the country, advising that Nigeria’s image could only be improved by the citizens.
“Let me now speak to the youths of our country, and Adamawa State particularly. I want you to know that you mean so much to us. Please remain loyal and patriotic citizens, learn from your elders and behave responsibly at all times.
“There can be no other place better than this country that promises so much to us and beckons us to greater prosperity.
“I want you to remain true to our ideals of decency, respect and accountability. You should bear your responsibilities seriously and acquit yourself well in all that you are called on to do.
“You should all come out and vote in the forthcoming elections, exercise your franchise responsibly and do not allow yourselves to be misled by vain sentiments and idle promises.
“Let me remind you and the entire people of Nigeria that the eyes of the world will be on you come February and March, 2023. Therefore do not give in to temptation and allow yourselves to be manipulated,’’ he added.
The President advised the youths to remain loyal to the APC by sensitizing on the gains of the party, and voting for its candidates at various levels.
“I wish specially to thank you for reposing your trust in me and giving me your support during the last two presidential elections.
“I want you to continue with this spirit and remain loyal to our party the APC. I want you to support our candidates at all levels in the state and federal elections. You can trust Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, our party’s flag-bearer and presidential candidate, together with his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
“I want you to vote for them massively, retain the party in power at the centre, and also return Adamawa to the rank of the progressives.
“I want you to wholeheartedly embrace the message of “RENEWED HOPE” on which our candidates and party are campaigning,’’ the President said.
In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu called on voters to elect Asiwaju Tinubu for President, and Sen. Binani for Governor of Adamawa State.
Adamu assured the large gathering of party supporters at the Muhammadu Buhari Square that both candidates had been tested with responsibilities at various levels of governance, and would work together for the benefit of the people.
Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu thanked the President for leading the country with integrity, and setting new standards in development projects.
“Nigeria is blessed. We have integrity in President Buhari. Whatever damage the Poverty Development Party, PDP, has done, we will replace it with joy, prosperity, happiness and employment for our people.
“We will get you engaged properly. We will pay attention to your needs. Vote Binani for governor of the state, and when we are elected, we will work together to provide good water, education, health and end killings and kidnapping,” he said.
Binani pleaded with the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, APC stalwart, Nuhu Ribadu and member of House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas to join hands with her in ensuring success at the polls, and lifting the state to greater heights.
Former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, urged the electorates to vote for Asiwaju Tinubu for President, and Binani for Governor of the state, noting that Tinubu and his Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, had set precedence of good leadership as former governors.
He said Binani would build on past achievements in the state, and correct anomalies in leadership and development, especially in placing the welfare of the people first and ensuring inclusive governance.
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