The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday expressed anger at what it called undue delay in the declaration of its candidate for the Adamawa State governorship election, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner of the poll. At a press conference addressed by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, at the party’s headquaters in Abuja, the party said the delay is causing a dangerous tension in the polity.
He said the continued delay is heightening tension in Adamawa State and is capable of triggering a serious breakdown of Law and Order in the State.
According to him, this had already overstretched as a result of the many perverse activities of the heavily compromised Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari.
“It is therefore imperative and urgent that INEC does the needful and save Adamawa State from serious crisis by directing the Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, to immediately conclude collation, declare the final results and return the rightful winner, Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa State,” he said
PDP described the action of the Adamawa State REC, Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, as reckless, inexcusable and unpardonable assault on our Democracy.
Damagum further stated that the REC’s decision amounted to “Civilian Coup” alleging that the intention was to take control and install an illegal government in Adamawa State which is in contrary to the provision of Section 1 Sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“For clarity Section 1 Sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides;
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”.
“The PDP insists that such subversive conduct of Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari must not go unpunished. We restate our demand that INEC should without further delay hand over Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari to the police for investigation and prosecution.
“The Inspector General of Police should, as a matter of urgency, remove, investigate and sanction the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police for providing cover and enabling the perpetration of this grievous criminal act against our democracy.
“The PDP, majority of Nigerians and indeed the International Community are now worried that in spite of the results of the election as obtained from the Polling Units, which show Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri in clear lead, INEC has continued to delay the conclusion of official collation, announcement and declaration of the rightful winner of the election.”