An election observer group, Yiaga Africa has asked the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately resume collation and declare the official results of the Adamawa state supplementary governorship election.
Yiaga Africa said INEC should resume collation and conclude the process based on results announced at the polling units and uploaded on the IReV portal on Saturday.
A statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Watching The Vote Working Group, and its Executive Director Dr Hussain Abdu and Samson Itodo, Tuesday in Abuja, frowned at the conduct of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commission (REC) which it described as inimical to democracy.
The election observer body outlined recommended that “INEC should urgently conclude the collation process and declare the official results based on results announced at the polling units and uploaded on the IReV portal.
“The President and the Nigerian Senate should initiate removal proceedings against the Adamawa REC in defense of the Constitution, the independence of INEC, and the overall integrity of the electoral process.
“Urge the police and INEC to swiftly prosecute the Adamawa REC for gross misconduct, insubordination, and fraud. In addition, the attacks on two of the National Commissioners deployed to oversee the supplementary elections in Adamawa should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.”
Continuing: Yiaga Africa condemned the illegal declaration of the All Progressive Congress, governorship candidate, Aisha Binani as governor-elect mid-way into the exercise.
“On Sunday, 16th April 2023, the process was blighted with an illegality by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa. Yiaga Africa unequivocally condemns the irresponsible conduct of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, who, in utter disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), S64 & 65 Electoral Act 2022 and Part 3 of the INEC Guidelines, made an illegal declaration when only the results of 10 out of 21 LGAs had been collated. Apart from this, the REC lacks the power to make a declaration as this is an exclusive power of the Returning Officer appointed by INEC.
“The fact that the REC committed this dastardly act in company of security operatives is unfortunate and unacceptable. Consequently, the conduct of the REC, which is criminal and unbecoming of an electoral officer, is inimical to democratic norms and ethos. The action of the REC portends danger for democracy in Nigeria as it signals that the Constitution and other laws can be subverted, thereby opening a floodgate of lawlessness and anarchy in the face of such crass disregard for the rule of law. This gross misconduct is an ominous sign of democratic backsliding and INEC capture, which was highlighted Election Manipulation Risk Index (EMRI) published before the 2023 general elections.
“Yiaga Africa commends INEC’s swift response to nullify the illegal declaration and immediate suspension of the REC from performing INEC duties in line with Paragraph 15(H) 3rd schedule, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered). The appropriate sanction for this gross misconduct is removal from office in line Section 157 of the Constitution. Yiaga Africa therefore, demands immediate removal of the REC as well as prompt prosecution for this reckless electoral offence, which is of a nature that can bring democracy to its knees. It is necessary for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian Senate to act swiftly by removing the REC whose conduct threatens the democracy and constitutional order that the nation has nurtured over the past two decades. His prosecution will have a deterrent effect on others who have similar traits of illegality. This is a task for the Nigeria Police Force and the INEC to ensure electoral justice is dispensed without delay.”
Yiaga Africa equally demanded action be taken against hoodlums that attacked INEC officials in the state.
“Yiaga Africa strongly condemns the attacks on INEC National commissioners performing oversight responsibilities in the supplementary elections. These senseless attacks assault the independence of INEC and should not go unaddressed.”
