Adamawa Governorship Election: Atiku urges INEC to declare Fintiri winner
Story from Usman IBRAHIM, Yola
Former Vice President and presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the results of the governorship elections in Adamawa and declare the PDP candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the winner of the March 18th election.
During a press briefing in Yola, Adamawa State, Atiku stated that the results released so far indicate that the PDP candidate has a commanding lead in 20 out of the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and that INEC cannot tamper with the will of the people.
READ ALSO: INEC declares Adamawa governorship election inconclusive, commences results verification
He further added that even if INEC decides to use doctored results, the PDP candidate will still emerge as the winner. Atiku also expressed concern over the attempts by INEC to cause disaffection among the people of Adamawa.
“Adamawa State has been a very peaceful state, and we have conducted our elections peacefully, but INEC is attempting to upset the peace we have in the state,” he said.
Atiku urged all Nigerians and the international community to observe what is going on in Adamawa, particularly with regard to how INEC is handling the election results.
The call by Atiku comes amidst the delay by INEC to release the results of the Adamawa state governorship election. The election, which was held on March 18th, saw the participation of 29 candidates from different political parties, with the major contenders being the PDP candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and the incumbent Senator of Adamawa Central, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had only released the results of 20 LGAs, with Fintiri leading. INEC had also announced that the remaining results for Fufore LGA would be released soon.
The delay in the release of the results has generated anxiety and tension among the people of Adamawa State, with some alleging that INEC is working in favour of the APC.
The PDP candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had earlier accused INEC of deliberately delaying the announcement of the results, stating that the commission had a duty to act by the law and the will of the people.
Shortly after Atiku’s call, INEC declared the March 18 governorship election in Adamawa State inconclusive.
The commission said the election is inconclusive due to the margin of votes but assured Nigerians that verification of results has started.
