PDP governors advices INEC to conclude collation, declare result
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to direct the appropriate Returning Officer for Adamawa governorship election, Mele Lamido, to immediately conclude the collation and declare the result.
The forum in a statement by its Director-General, C.I.D. Maduabum, in Abuja on Monday condemned what he described as show of shame in the April 18 Adamawa State supplementary Governorship election.
Maduabum attempted electoral heist and brigandage perpetrated by the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, was perhaps the lowest point of the 2023 General elections.
“We commend the immediate steps taken by the INEC as an institution to recover its battered image by nullifying the attempted coup and suspending the REC.
“The appropriate Returning Officer, Mele Lamido, should immediately conclude the collation and declare the result.”
Maduabum said one of the most important lessons of from 2023 general election season was that the integrity of INEC personnel is crucial to free, fair, and credible elections as well as deployment of technology.
“Going forward, there should be a deliberate process of revisiting the appointments of National and Resident Electoral Commissioners to weed out corrupt and extremely partisan officials.
“It is the partisan method of appointment of these officials that led to national disgrace in Adamawa State.
“Appropriate sanctions, including prosecution of all those involved, especially the former REC, Yunusa, should be swiftly commenced to serve as an example to others.”
Maduabum enjoined all Nigerians to be on alert as the citizens brace up to emerging threats to NIgerians democracy and the struggle for good governance in Nigeria.