Tag: Protest

By Haruna Abu-Faisal

JIMETA, Nigeria (BNB) — Thousands of women, youth, and government officials took to the streets of Jimeta, Adamawa state on Saturday to protest the recent declaration of Aisha Dahiru Binani as the winner of the state’s governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

Led by the assistant Campaign Director of the PDP’s presidential and governorship elections in the state, Felix Tangwami, and a commissioner of the Fintiri-led administration, the protesters chanted slogans such as “Give us our mandate” and “Fintiri won”, demanding that the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) overturn the decision and give the mandate to the rightful winner, Governor Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Yunusa Hudu Ari, had declared Binani as the winner midway into the collation of results on Sunday, but the declaration has caused confusion and sparked a heated debate among the public.

Many have questioned the legality of the REC’s decision to declare Binani the winner while the results were still being collated, arguing that he did not have the constitutional mandate to do so.

The protesters have vowed to continue their protest until justice is served, and the rightful winner is declared. However, the situation remains tense, with calls for calm and peaceful resolution of the dispute.

The declaration of Binani as the winner of the Adamawa state governorship election has also raised allegations of bias and vote manipulation in favor of the APC. Some have called for an investigation into the conduct of the REC during the election, while others have commended the PDP for their peaceful protest and commitment to justice.

The INEC has, in response to the Sunday declaration, questioned the declaration of Binani as the winner of the election and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

The electoral body has directed the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, to stay away from the state office until further notice. The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State, after Ari served as the REC for the governorship election in the state.