By Tom Garba, Yola
Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe has has alleged that the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is a culprit in the sad event that led to the illegal declaration of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru Binani, by the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Yunusa Hudu Ari.
The Senator, in a statement on Monday, opined that for INEC to ignore the open display of partisanship by its high-ranking official, indicated that both INEC and Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu “are complicit, and part and parcel of a grand conspiracy against the peace-loving people of Adamawa state.”
According to Yaroe, the declaration of Binani on Sunday morning was sad while calling on responsible leaders of conscience to take a stand and speak out in the interest of peace and justice.
Yaroe explained that INEC and its national chairman have aided in the purported declaration for ignoring calls by interested parties who raised alarm for Hudu’s replacement.
He recalled how Hudu played out a suspected attitude of democracy assassination during the governorship election of March 18th.
Yaroe fumed that Hudu’s questionable moral character is in public knowledge, especially when he was caught on tape, directing the INEC Collation Officer in Fufore local government area, to “temaki matan nan” meaning help that woman.
“Malam Hudu, the REC, was subsequently interviewed on camera by journalists accredited to cover the elections, and he admitted to speaking to the Fufore INEC Returning Officer, affirming giving that directive.
“INEC needs to urgently take steps to repair its damaged reputation by handing over Malam Hudu for a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution for attempting to cause an insurrection in Adamawa State. INEC should also, after listening to its officials summoned to Abuja, direct them to return to Adamawa and complete the collation of the outstanding results, and declare the winner without delay.” Dauda said
He continued to say that Yesterday, a major confrontation in Mayobelwa town laced with ethnic and religious undertones was averted by the timely intervention of the DPO and Operation Farauta personnel. The fragile peace we have been enjoying in the state must not be truncated.
“I am making this call in my capacity as the Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District comprising 9 of the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, who actively and painstakingly took part in the just concluded supplementary election on Saturday, April 15th, 2023.”
