2023 Elections
Makinde Appeals To INEC For Immediate Resolution To Adamawa Polls
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the right thing and recognize Adamawa State’s legitimate winner of the governorship race.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Aisha “Binani” Dahiru was controversially declared the winner of the election on Sunday at the Adamawa State Collation Centre in Yola by State Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Yunusa Ari, who acted outside the bounds of his constitutionally granted authority.
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Many political parties, concerned Nigerians, and civil society organizations have since denounced the action and have called for Ari’s arrest. The predicament compelled INEC to halt the collation process and issue an order prohibiting Ari from participating in any electoral umpire duties or the poll in Adamawa.
At the Government House in Yola a day after the tragedy, Governor Makinde met with his counterpart from Adamawa, Governor Umaru Fintiri.
Makinde said the illegal declaration of the APC candidate as the winner of the election is unimaginable and a shame on the person of Ari.
He applauded INEC for a job well done in Oyo State and expressed confidence that the electoral umpire will prove its neutrality in the Adamawa process as the whole world is watching.
The governor also urged the people of Adamawa state to remain calm and assured that the current situation will be resolved amicably.
Asked about his view on the action of Yunusa-Ari, the Governor stated: “It is unimaginable. It’s a shame really that somebody of that calibre will do something like that.
“But again, we have stories and we strive as we evolve in the process of getting people who will do certain things for us to be a little more vigorous. People like the current REC will have no place in our future democratic process.”
On his assessment of INEC on the conduct of the general elections, Makinde said: “At least, in Oyo State, I know they did the right thing.
“So, I am saying to them so that (they) do what is right for our democracy and for the people to know that the process is being reformed and that reform should keep getting better.
“I know they will do the right thing. I’m almost certain of that.”
