By Muhammad Jamil, Kebbi
#NigeriaDecides2023 – ASHENEWS reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kebbi state has declared the returning officer of Marafa ward, Yusuf Isah Yahaya for failure to appear at the collation of Kebbi Central Senatorial District.
This online platform further reports that the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ahmed Bello-Mahmud said on Monday, that Yahaya’s declaration as persona non grata series of meetings over his non appearance.
He however said that a new competent collation officer had been appointed to carry on with the job.
Bello-Mahmud assured that the newly appointed officer would continue from where the missing officer stopped and possibly make announcement today.
Tension was noticed at the INEC office in Birnin Kebbi in view of the strong contest between the incumbent governor of the state, Sen. Atiku Bagudu and ex-governor, Sen. Adamu Aliero, which led to security beef up at the commission office.
While Bagudu is contesting the Kebbi Central Senatorial District seat on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Aliero is contesting on the platform of People’s Democratic party (PDP).
Although results from eight Local Government Areas of the Senatorial District had arrived, the absence of Marafa ward results delayed the announcement of the winner.
Aliero advised his supporters to remain calm, adding that the decision of the commission was in line with the laws of the land.
He lamented that his people had spent two days awaiting the announcement of the result but to no avail.
He appealed to the commission to hasten efforts to do the needful within the confine of the law to announce the result.
“Therefore, I urge all our supporters to be law abiding, mature and ensure that they maintain the relative peace being enjoyed for the good and progress of the state and the nation at large,” he said.
