As Governor vows to ensure REC goes to jail

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented Certificates of Return to Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and the Deputy Governor-elect, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta.

The certificates were presented to the duo at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by a National Commissioner, Dr Baba Billa, who stood in for the Commission’s Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the Adamawa State Governor, Fintiri described the his re-election as the toughest election because of attempts by some external manipulation he alleged came from Abuja.

The Governor noted that he won the election on March 18 at the first balloting, stressing however that the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa-Ari, tried to manipulate the process.

According to him, “They were interested in seeing that they strangle the democracy and you

Eid-el-Fitr: Edo NSCDC deploys 1,500 personnel

The Edo Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed 1,50O personnel to provide security in the state during the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.

This is contained in a statement by the command spokesman, Mr Efosa Ogbebor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, yesterday.

The state Commandant, Mr Samuel Dan, said the personnel would man strategic public places including Eid grounds, malls, markets and recreational centres.

“Mobile and static patrol will be mounted and a stop-andsearch operation will also be placed at various locations.

“The personnel will work in synergy with other law enforcement agencies in providing security,” he said.

The commandant urged all component commanders, heads of tactical units, area commanders and divisional officers to ensure smooth, crime free and secure celebrations.

He appealed to members of the public to give maximum cooperation to the NSCDC personnel during the festive period and beyond.

Dan however, warned parents to monitor and regulate the movements of their wards, while assuring residents of the state of 24-hour surveillance during the period. NAN can see, to your dismay, that even the security agencies that are supposed to protect our democracy were involved in strangling the democracy in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, the military had to get involved to save the democracy in Adamawa. It is quite unfortunate.

“I have become a veteran of inconclusive elections and I have learnt a lot”, he said.

Fintiri said that the REC became confused and had to declare the election inconclusive, “but to the glory of God we won again at the supplementary election”

Continuing, the Governor said, “I think INEC has taken steps and that they are going to prosecute him. But I think the right place to prosecute him is in Adamawa because he committed the offence in my land.

“I am going to instruct the state Ministry of Justice to ensure that he is prosecuted and taken to jail,” Fintiri said.

He insisted that Yunusa-Ari should be prosecuted along with the security chiefs that protected him to commit the electoral offence when they ought to have been the one to protect democracy.

His words, “If the police and the security agencies will be the ones to connive with INEC officials to scuttle our democracy, I think it’s unfortunate and the wrong must be corrected by all of us.”

Fintiri however profusely apologised to the Commission over the attack on its two National Commissioners in the state because of the illegal action of Yunusa-Ari.

He said, “One apology I have to make is what happened to the two excellent commissioners in my state.

I take the blame, and I apologize. Sorry for what the hoodlums did for the mistaken identity that they thought they were Yunusa-Ari”

The governor appreciated God for what he did for him and for Nigerians saying democracy has come to the stay.

He also Nigerians and the international community for standing for Nigeria’s democracy.