I apologise for psychological trauma, Fintiri begs supporters

The governor-elect of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has apologised to his teeming supporters for what he described as “psychological trauma” brought upon them by the events that characterised the supplementary poll in the state.

The PUNCH reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election on Tuesday.

The Returning Officer, Muhammed Melee, declared the PDP candidate winner after polling 430,861 votes to defeat his major counterpart, Aishatu Binani, of the All Progressives Congress who polled 398,788 votes.

His victory came two days after the drama that ensued in the state on Sunday when the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, declared Binani as the winner of the election, a declaration that was nullified by INEC. The commission suspended collation of results thereafter.

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INEC reopened the collation centre for the supplementary election results on Tuesday. The supplementary election had held in the state on Saturday, April 15, after the election of March 18 was declared inconclusive by INEC, following certain irregularities.

In his acceptance speech on Tuesday, Fintiri apologised for the “trauma” the supporters went through during the period.

“Fellow citizens, I must as a politician apologise on behalf of the political class for putting you through this psychological trauma … especially over the last five days,” he told supporters in Adamawa during a press conference shortly after he was declared the winner.

According to him, whoever was responsible for the situation, “that person is still being called a politician, and I take responsibility for it.”

He said he would continue in the trajectory of governance he had started in the state.

While congratulating his co-contenders for their struggle in the governorship race, Fintiri condemned the action of Hudu who had earlier declared Binani as the winner of the election.

Saying the action of the REC “fell below expectation,” he however thanked the people of Adamawa “for voting for continuity.”