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Tag: Adamawa State

  • IGP boots CP out of Adamawa over election malfeasance

    IGP boots CP out of Adamawa over election malfeasance

    The Inspector-General of police (IGP), Usman Baba, has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa, Mohammed Barde with immediate effect over supplementary election saga.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that Barde had been replaced by CP in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa.

    Adejobi said the police force had not received any letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but adding that the police would carry out thorough investigation on the Adamawa incident in collaboration with INEC.

    “So, if INEC sends in any letter, we will treat it as recommended as well.

    “Also, the IGP has ordered the redeployment of the CP election Adamawa and replaced him with CP Gombe, CP Etim Equa, who has been directed to proceed to Yola immediately for the conclusion of the guber election process in Adamawa.

    “We are committed to having a more secure and successful process in Adamawa,” he said.

  • Adamawa guber: Binani’s motion rejected in court

    Adamawa guber: Binani’s motion rejected in court

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to hear an ex-parte motion filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the Adamawa governorship election, Sen. Aisha Dahiru-Ahmed, popularly called “Binani.”

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, instead, ordered the APC candidate’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, to address the court on issue of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive motion.

    Upon resumed hearing on the matter, Afeez Matomi, announced appearance for Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, the 3rd respondent in the suit, shortly after Sheriff mentioned his name.

    Justice Ekwo then asked Matomi if he had been served.

    The lawyer told the court that though they were yet to be served, they had filed a motion to counter part of Binani’s prayers.

    He said they got the hint about the ex-parte motion through social media, hence, they decided to file a motion.

    But the judge, who declined to listen to Fintiri’s lawyer, said it was imperative for counsel to go by what the law says.

    Ekwo then ordered Sheriff to proceed on addressing the court.

    The lawyer said his ex-parte motion was filed on April 17 and that he was ready to move it.

    The judge said though he was ready to hear Sheriff, the lawyer must address the court on issue of jurisdiction before he proceeded.

    “I am ready too but you have to address me on jurisdiction,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo, who ordered Sheriff to address him on whether the court had the jurisdiction to hear the matter, held that the application would be taken together with the issue of jurisdiction on the next adjourned date.

    He, consequently, adjourned the matter until April 26 for hearing of the motion and an address on jurisdiction.

    Binani and APC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/510/2023, had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), People Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Gov. Fintiri as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

    Binani, through her lawyer, Hussaini Zakariyau, SAN, had sought a judicial review of the administrative decision of INEC on April 16 in respect of her declaration as the winner of the governorship elections held on March 18 and the supplementary poll of April 15.

    She is also seeking an order of prohibition and certiorari preventing INEC and its agents from taking any further steps towards the declaration of the winner of the elections pending the determination of her application for judicial review.

    The application was brought pursuant to Order 34 Rules 1a, Order 3(1) & 3(2) a, b, c, Order 6 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules), 2019 and Section 251 (1)q & r of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 149 & 152 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    Giving grounds why the motion should be granted, Binani stated that after the collation of results, INEC declared her as the winner of the elections but the PDP and its candidate, Governor Fintiri, resorted to fighting and causing a public disturbance which led to the beating and manhandling of an INEC staff.

    This crisis, she said, led INEC to cancel the initial declaration which it had no power to do as only the election petition tribunal is vested with such powers.

    By cancelling her declaration, Binani contended that INEC usurped the powers of the election petition tribunal which is the only court vested with powers on a declaration from the conduct of an election.

    In the application, she averred that a judicial review exists to enable the superior court to checkmate the actions and decisions of inferior courts as well as the legislative and administrative arm of government including agencies and public officers.

    The applicant further submits that the INEC, being an agency of the government, can have its actions, records, and decisions checked by the court and only a court can nullify the actions of an INEC official and not the INEC itself.

  • INEC demands immediate arrest of Adamawa REC

    INEC demands immediate arrest of Adamawa REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will write the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) for immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

    The commission said this in a statement issued on its verified Twitter handle on Tuesday after its meeting held in Abuja.

    It stated that the collation process of results of the supplementary governorship election in the state would resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.

    INEC tweeted: “At its meeting today, April 18, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:

    “Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the REC for Adamawa State, Yunusa-Ari.

    “Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.

    “The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer. Detailed official statement will follow shortly.”

    Yunusa-Ari had on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate winner of Adamawa governorship election while the collation process was ongoing.

    The INEC headquarters on Sunday suspended the collation process directing the REC and all electoral officers involved in the process to report in Abuja.

    INEC also on Monday directed the state REC to stay away from office till further notice and the State Administrative Secretary to take over the affairs of the commission in the state.

  • Adamawa guber: Why I abruptly declared Binani winner – INEC REC

    Adamawa guber: Why I abruptly declared Binani winner – INEC REC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Adamawa State, Mr Hudu Yunusa Ari has opened up on why he abruptly declared Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Binani winner of the State Governorship Election on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports there was confusion after Mr Ari declared Binani, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), as governor-elect after the supplementary election held on Saturday in State.

    Ari announced Binani as the winner while the collation of results was still ongoing at the INEC collation centre in Yola. According to the INEC REC, Binani had scored the highest number of votes hence his decision to declare her as the winner. However, he did not provide the data or the results with which she won the election.

    “Based on the scores of the parties, the APC scored the highest votes. Going by that, Aishatu Binani is, hereby, declared as the elected Governor of Adamawa State,” he said.

    However, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, the agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the collation center described the declaration as baseless and of no binding effect, pointing out that 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.

    Gov. Fintiri appeals for calm as INEC suspends collation of results

    Meanwhile, incumbent Governor of the State, Gov Ahmadu Fintiri has called on residents of the state to remain calm and peaceful as collation of results of the just-concluded governorship supplementary election has been suspended by INEC.

    The Governor, who addressed a news conference in Yola on Sunday commended the national headquarters of INEC for its prompt action, halting the declaration of APC governorship candidate, Aishatu Binani, as governor-elect.

    He expressed optimism that eventually the electoral umpire would collate and announced the winner of the election, saying only 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were collated out of 20.

    He thanked the security agencies and people of the state for demonstrating courage and maturity throughout the tension period, stressing that no body would subvert your democratic rights.

    INEC seeks adequate security for officers

    Meanwhile, INEC has called on security agencies to provide adequate security for its two national commissioners and officers deployed to Adamawa for the supplementary governorship election.

    The commission made the call in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Sunday.

    The commission had earlier suspended result collation in the state, declaring the purported declared result by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as null and void.

    Okoye, who said that the commission was disturbed by the harassment of its officers in the state, warned that nothing should happen to its officers in the state.

    “The Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

    “We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

    “The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance.”

    Okoye said that INEC would not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at its officials or the process of the election in the state.

    Okoye had earlier refuted the purported declaration of the result by its REC in the Adamawa State Governorship election, Yunusa-Ari

    Okoye said that the action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect.

    “Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday April 15 is suspended forthwith.

    “The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja.”

    Ari had declared Binani as winner midway into the collation. Reports indicate that results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.

    However, Ari announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.

    PDP demands arrest of INEC REC

    Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the arrest of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State.

    PDP in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said the declaration of Binani as winner of the Adamawa State Governorship election while the collation was ongoing is illegal.

    Ologunagba stated that such move is seen as usurping the duties and powers of the Returning Officer.

    “The PDP also demands for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, for making such illegal declaration in criminal usurpation of the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele, while collation was ongoing.

    “It is even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State,” the statement read.

  • BREAKING: Drama as INEC voids declaration of Binani as gov-elect; REC, RO summoned to Abuja

    BREAKING: Drama as INEC voids declaration of Binani as gov-elect; REC, RO summoned to Abuja

    Drama is currently emanating from Adamawa State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has voided the declaration of Senator Aishatu Dahiru as governor-elect.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari had declared Senator Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election.

    However, in the turn of events, headquarters of the electoral umpire immediately in a statement by Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, voided the declaration.

    INEC stated via Twitter: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

    “The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

    “The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately”.

    Binani was declared the winner of the Adamawa governorship election in controversial circumstances as she was declared winner mid-way into the collation of results.

    Earlier, results of the Saturdays election, from 10 out of the 20 local government areas, had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.

    However, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.

    Some PDP supporters in the hall protested the announcement of Binani as the winner by the INEC REC.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner had made the announcement against the Returning Officer.

  • BREAKING: Amid controversy, INEC declares Binani winner of Adamawa guber election

    BREAKING: Amid controversy, INEC declares Binani winner of Adamawa guber election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa Governorship election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Binani was declared the winner of the Adamawa governorship election amid controversy as she was declared winner mid-way into the collation of results.

    Binani, thus, becomes the first female Governor-elect in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Earlier, results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.

    However, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.

    Some PDP supporters in the hall protested the announcement of Binani as the winner by the INEC REC.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner had made the announcement against the Returning Officer.

  • Adamawa: INEC begins collation of supplementary election results

    Adamawa: INEC begins collation of supplementary election results

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced collation of the governorship supplementary election results held on Saturday.

    Speaking at the commencement of the exercise in Yola, Prof. Mohammed Mele, the state Collation Officer, said the results of Demsa and Yola-South Local Government Areas were ready.

    Mele urged the local government returning officers and the party agents to abide by the process for successful collation.

    Dr Baba Bila, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States, announced that each political party would be represented by only one agent.

    Bila explained that the collation process required that the local government returning officers must first register with the secretariat, get results verified before presenting to state collation officer loudly.

    He called on them to also be patient with the process for a successful collection of the results.

    The elections were held in 69 polling units across 20 local government areas in the state. Results from Demsa, Yola South, Yola North and Lamurde Local Government Areas have been collated as at press time.

  • Adamawa guber: INEC assures of credible supplementary election

    Adamawa guber: INEC assures of credible supplementary election

    INEC assured in Abuja on Saturday that it would conduct credible supplementary governorship election in Adamawa that would be the pride of Nigerians and of the international community.

    INEC’s Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, gave the assurance when some women staged a protest at the Commission’s headquarters in respect of the Adamawa election.

    The protesters were led by the President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Hajiya Lami Lau.

    INEC had earlier in the week declared the March 18 governorship election in Adamawa as inconclusive.

    The final results tallied by INEC at the election showed that the Adamawa governor, Mr Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored the highest number of votes.

    The Commission, however, declared that cancelled votes at the election were more than the margin of victory between Fintiri and the runner-up, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It said a new date would be fixed for re-run elections in areas where the exercise did not hold on March 18.

    Okoye thanked the women for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner, noting that the Commission belonged to all Nigerians.

    “We regard our role in INEC as public trust; any individual, group or organisations with any grievance or complaint are free to come here and voice or ventilate their grievances.

    “The people of Adamawa are the only ones with the right to elect their governor; those of us in the Commission and Nigerians from other states have no vote in Adamawa.

    “Any individual that is not from Adamawa and who does not reside in the state has no vote in the state.

    “It is only the people of the state that will determine who their next governor will be,’’ Okoye told the protesters.

    He explained that the responsibility of the Commission as an electoral management body was to provide a platform for people of the state to exercise their franchise.

    He added that though the Commission provided the platform, the election was declared inconclusive.

    “We will go back and give the people of the state the opportunity to have a conclusion relating to their governorship election.

    “The Commission will go back to Adamawa and conduct a supplementary election that Nigerians and the international community will be proud of,’’ Okoye stressed.

    The INEC commissioner noted that it had no political party and did not support any political candidate or individual.

    He reiterated that the faith of Adamawa would only be determined by the people of the state.

    He stressed that Nigerians who did not register to vote in Adamawa and those that did not vote in the state had no right to determine who the next governor would be.

    In her remarks earlier, Lau, leader of the protesters, commended INEC for upholding its integrity in Abia and Enugu states by ensuring that the right things were done.

    “In this regard, Nigerian women are demanding the verification of Adamawa governorship election results like it was done in Abia and Enugu,’’ she said.

    She appealed to INEC to release the Adamawa governorship election result of Sen. Binani.

    She added that Nigerian women had vowed not to rest until her mandate was assured.

  • INEC declares Adamawa governorship election as inconclusive

    INEC declares Adamawa governorship election as inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared the  March 18 governorship election in Adamawa as inconclusive.

    Prof. Mohammed Mele, the state INEC returning officer said this when he spoke with newsmen on Monday in Yola.

    Mele 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.

  • JUST IN: INEC postpones collation of guber results in Adamawa

    JUST IN: INEC postpones collation of guber results in Adamawa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the collation of the Governorship election results from Local Government Areas (LGAs) until noon.

    Prof. Mohammed Mele, state collation officer and Mr Yakubu Ari, Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC announced this on Monday after the collation of results from 20 out of the 21 LGAs.

    He said that the exercise was postponed to enable verification of the results from Fufore local government area which were snatched.

    Shortly before the shift, two agents of the leading parties in the election, the People’s Democratic Party PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC, urged INEC to ensure justice in the collation of the results before the declaration.

    Security agencies were also deployed to major roads in the state capital to ensure security following a protest by some political thugs in the metropolis after the adjournment.

    The road leading to INEC office had also been cordoned off from Gate II of the Jimeta modern market to fire service roundabout.

    INEC began the collation of governorship election results from the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Adamawa.

    Declaring the process open on Sunday, the State Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, called for orderliness for the success of the exercise.

    The exercise commenced at about 12:30 p.m. with results from Guyuk Local Government Area.

    Other local governments areas whose results had arrived as at the time of filling this report include; Shelleng, Gombi, Jada, Girei, Ganye, Lamurde and Maiha.

    Present at the commencement of the collation were the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Afolabi Babatola; Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCD), Bello Sinusi; Comptroller Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ibrahim Maina.

    Others were Commandant National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Agboalu Samson and Zonal Controller Federal Fire Service, Modi Andrew. Representatives of EFCC, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and party agents were also present.

    Security personnel were deployed to major roads in the metropolis while Galadima Aminu Way leading to INEC office was blocked to ensure security during the exercise.