Adamawa Guber Election: CP faces disciplinary action for role in illegal declaration of results
The Commissioner of Police (CP) assigned to oversee the recent Adamawa governorship election, Mohammed Barde, is facing disciplinary action for his involvement in the illegal declaration of a winner in the poll.
The Nigeria Police Force issued a query to Barde, dated June 1, accusing him of failing to fulfill his duties and colluding with the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yanusa-Ari, who made the unlawful declaration.
The letter, addressed to Barde, a serving CP in Imo State, was sent just 11 weeks after he was withdrawn from election duties in the state due to the controversial incident.
A video of Yanusa-Ari, accompanied by CP Barde, declaring Senator Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election went viral on social media, despite the fact that the collation of results was still ongoing.
In response, INEC declared Yanusa-Ari’s announcement as “null and void,” stating that his action constituted a usurpation of the powers vested in the returning officer for the election, who had the legal authority to declare the election’s outcome.
The letter querying CP Barde was signed by AIG Habu Sani, the Force Secretary, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
It criticized Barde’s failure to demonstrate a sound understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations governing police officers and his lack of professionalism and responsibility in his actions.
The letter stated: “As a Commissioner of Police in charge of Imo State Command, you are expected to be well-versed in the laws, rules, and regulations governing police officers and to exhibit a high level of professionalism and responsibility in all your actions. However, this has not been the case.
“Recall that you were appointed as the Adamawa State Election Duty Commissioner of Police, with the primary responsibility of supervising all aspects of security and related matters to ensure a peaceful and credible conduct of the election in accordance with the 2022 Electoral Act as amended, other applicable laws, and guidelines.
“Specifically, you were in charge of the Adamawa State supplementary Gubernatorial election held on April 15, 2023. After the completion of the voting process, collation of results began as scheduled. However, before the completion of the collation exercise, you accompanied the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State and provided him with security cover to unlawfully announce a result for an inconclusive election, which caused astonishment and discontent among the general public.”
