Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism Mentee
A man in a viral video who claims to be an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS) alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, was paid N2 billion as bribe to declare Aishatu Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the governorship election.
The purported DSS officer identified as Isa, who was seen in the viral video being assaulted by some men believed to be supporters of a political party in the state, however, denied being involved in the said fraud, maintaining that he led a team detailed to arrest the Resident Electoral Commissioner.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“I told you while we were in the car that the REC collected money running into billions of naira to rig the election. I don’t know the exact amount but let’s put it at N2 billion,” Isa said, claiming that he was around the REC’s place with his team to effect the arrest.
“I swear to God I didn’t collude with him in the bribery; I was detailed with my team to arrest him instead,” he added.
However, according to a report by Sahara Reporters, the DSS in a statement said it is investigating the assault on its staff in Adamawa as captured in the viral video.
The statement signed by the DSS Spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a trending video on the social media in which someone suspected to be its staff was allegedly manhandled by some political miscreants in Adamawa State.
“This followed developments arising from the supplementary governorship election in the State.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.
“While calling for calm, the Service also implores concerned parties in Adamawa State to remain peace loving and shun violence.”
Prime Business Africa had reported that Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) recalled the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State for declaring winner of the governorship election before the conclusion of results collation.
READ ALSO: Confusion in Adamawa Over REC’s Declaration of APC’s Binani As Governor-elect
The National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, had disclosed this in a statement he issued after the Adamawa REC declared Aisha ‘Binani’ as winner.
Okoye, who stated that the process of the election was not yet concluded before the controversial declaration, disclosed that the REC and his team had been summoned to appear before the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja while describing such declaration as “null and void, and of no effect.”
The statement read: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of a winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has not been concluded.
“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect.
“Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended. The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.”
