YOLA, Nigeria – Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has strongly condemned the actions of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa.
On Sunday, April 16, 2023, Yunusa controversially declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aishatu Binani, as the winner of the governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled April 15, 2023 for a rerun, following the inconclusive results of the initial election held on March 18, 2023.
In a broadcast, Fintiri described Yunusa’s conduct as unfortunate, accusing him of working for “a gang.”
Finitri said, “This morning, we all woke up to an illegal announcement by merchants of anarchy headed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner – Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, who since the beginning of this election is bent on pushing our collective patience to its limit.”
Fintiri recalled the first round of the election on March 18, 2023, when confusion rendered the election inconclusive. The rerun on April 15 was held peacefully across the state, with 11 LGAs collated before the process was adjourned to continue on April 16. However, instead of resuming the collation process, Yunusa made an illegal announcement of the election outcome without results.
Governor Fintiri urged calm and assured the people that he would protect their democratic rights. He stated, “The Independent National Electoral Commission has demonstrated its umpire status by first distancing itself from the act of the REC and assured that the right thing will be done.”
The right course of action, according to Fintiri, is the conclusion of the collation at the designated location and the declaration of a winner by the Returning Officer, Professor Mele Kyari. He expressed gratitude to the people for their resilience and resolve, saying, “We are on this until justice is done.”
Fintiri concluded his speech by calling for peace and law-abiding behavior, trusting that the world is watching as the enemies of democracy engage in their “shameless brigandage.”
The full speech below is reproduced below:
“This morning, we all woke up to an illegal announcement by merchants of anarchy headed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner – Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, who since the beginning of this election is bent on pushing our collective patience to its limit.
“It is on record that we went to the polls for the first round of the election on 18th of March, 2023. Even when it was apparent that I was coasting home to victory, this same gang aided the confusion that rendered the election inconclusive.
”Yesterday Saturday, 15th of April, the rerun was held peacefully across the State. The appropriate officers commenced the process of the collation.
“The first round of the collation went well, with 11 LGAs collated before the process was adjourned to continue today 16th April, at 11:00 a.m.
“Just when we were waiting for the resumption of the collation, the REC this morning took up a task he is not constitutionally empowered to do by making an illegal announcement of the outcome of the election without result.
“This action is no doubt provocative, but in this situation, I appeal for calm as always. I assure you that as your leader, I will ensure NOBODY thwarts your democratic rights.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has demonstrated its umpire status by first distancing itself from the act of the REC and assured that the right thing will be done.
“The right thing in this context is the conclusion of the collation at the designated location and the declaration of a winner by the Returning Officer in the person of Professor Mele Kyari.
“I must thank you for your resilience and resolve to not only exercise your democratic rights but to also protect it. We are on this until justice is done.
“Fellow citizens, once again, I call on everyone to remain peaceful and law-abiding trusting that the world is watching the enemies of democracy at the height of their shameless brigandage.”
