5th April, 2023
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm about continued stay of Hudu Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa in office ahead of the April 15 supplementary governorship election in the state.
INEC fixed April 15 for the supplementary election in Adamawa after the governorship elections of March 18 was declared inconclusive.
Ahmadu Fintiri, the current governor of the state from the PDP had scored 421,524 votes against Aishatu Dahiru of the All Progressive People (APC) candidate with 390, 275.
But a conclusion could not be reached after disputes by both parties.
If Dahiru is declared winner she would be the first female elected governor in Nigeria.
But ahead of the rerun election, PDP said Ari who supervised the first election cannot continue to stay in office because in the party’s words “outcry over his alleged complicity in the plot to manipulate the outcome of March 18 governorship election”
The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, Ari can only continue to stay in office in the face of the grave allegations for sinister reasons.
“In view of grave allegations and evidence of an audio tape already in the public domain, Ari should recuse himself immediately from superintending and/or conducting the re-run governorship election in Adamawa on April 15,”Ologunagba said.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately remove Ari as REC in Adamawa.
“On our part, the PDP restates that it is firmly on ground in the state.
“Our party and candidate, Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri are in clear lead and we are ready for the re-run election in the 69 Polling Units already announced by the INEC returning officer,” he said.
Ologunagba called on the people of Adamawa and PDP supporters to remain calm.
(NAN)