INEC: Police promise to probe ‘Adamawa incident’

…Says yet to receive INEC’s letter, but will collaborate with electoral umpire

The Nigeria Police Force has promised to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident arising from the ongoing supplementary election in Adamawa, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This followed INEC’s suspension of collation for last Saturday’s election after the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari declared the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the governor-elect.

The electoral umpire on Tuesday also said it had resolved to write the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to investigate and prosecute the suspended REC for Adamawa state, Yunusa-Ari, over the unlawful declaration of Binani, as the winner of the state governorship election.

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Responding to an inquiry by our correspondent on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted that the police was yet to receive the letter from INEC, adding that the police will, however, collaborate with the electoral umpire to investigate the matter.

He further noted that the IGP has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde from the state, and ordered that the CP in charge of Gombe State, Etim Equa, immediately proceed to Adamawa state for election security of the keenly-contested poll.

Adejobi said, “We have not received any letter, but we will carry out a thorough investigation on the Adamawa incident in collaboration with the INEC. So, if INEC sends in any letter, we will treat it as recommended as well.

“Also, the IGP has ordered the redeployment of the CP-election, Adamawa, and replaced him with CP Gombe, Etim Oqua, who has been directed to proceed to Yola immediately for the conclusion of the guber election process in Adamawa.

“We are committed to having a more secure and successful process in Adamawa.”

Meanwhile, INEC on Tuesday reconvened and resumed the collation of results for Saturday’s Adamawa supplementary governorship election, with its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye present at the collation centre.