The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Mr. Hudu Arim, has been requested by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to step aside from overseeing the state's rerun governorship election on April 15.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, addressed a news gathering in Abuja where the party announced its decision.
Ologunagba argued that it was unacceptable for Ari to remain in office despite the party's outcry over his alleged involvement in a scheme to rig the results of the state governorship race.
Spite of the party’s outcry over his alleged complicity in the plot to manipulate the outcome of the state governorship election was unacceptable.
“In view of grave allegations and evidence of an audio tape already in the public domain, Ari should recuse himself immediately from superintending and/or conducting the re-run governorship election in Adamawa on April 15,”Ologunagba said.
He said that there was no justification for the continued stay of Ari as REC in the state in the face of the grave allegations except for sinister reasons.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately remove Ari as REC in Adamawa.
“On our part, the PDP restates that it is firmly on ground in the state.
“Our party and candidate, Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri are in clear lead and we are ready for the re-run election in the 69 Polling Units already announced by the INEC returning officer,” he said.
Ologunagba called on the people of Adamawa and PDP supporters to remain calm.
The gubernatorial elections in Adamawa were deemed inconclusive on March 18, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and INEC set a new election date for April 15 as a result.
According to NAN, Ahmed Fintiri, the present governor of the state and a member of the PDP, received 421,524 votes, while Aishatu Dahiru, a candidate for the All Progressives People (APC), received 390,275.
But despite disagreements from both parties, a resolution could not be made.
Dahiru would become Nigeria's first elected female governor if she were to be named the winner. (NAN) .
