ASHENEWS reports that a returning officer in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano, has narrated how he was made to declare a constituency result under duress.
Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai, was appointed as returning officer of Tudun Wada/Doguwa House of Representatives election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The result that he declared on February 26 was used by INEC to declare the winner of the elections.
However, Prof. Yakasai in a letter he addressed to the Kano state Resident Electoral Commissioner on February 27, 2023, narrated his ordeal in the hands political thugs, and revealed that the result was, indeed, declared under threat.
Read the letter below:
DECLARATION OF TUDUN WADA/ DOGUWA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES RESULT Under DURESS
I served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 Tudun Wada/Doguwa House of Representatives elections whose result was declared by me on the 26th February, 2023.
However, I will like to testify that the declaration I made was under duress for fear of losing my life and other INEC officials who were with me.
The collation area was completed under siege, threatening to burn down the INEC facility if I did not declare the result within one hour.
I was completely traumatized, hopeless and confused which did not give me the stability of mind to work in accordance with the Electoral Act and election guidelines as areas or poling units where the elections were cancelled.
The total number of accredited voters were not compared with margin of the scores that led to the declaration and finally the situation my colleagues and found ourselves could not give us the opportunity to attend to the complaints of non-use of BVAS in some polling units.
I hope my statement would be kindly looked at and necessary action to be taken in accordance with section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.
