There was palpable anxiety at the Adamawa State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Yola as officials of the commission barred journalist from access to the collation center Saturday.
Journalist who were already accredited in the build up to the presidential and guvernorship election were shocked when they were turned away by stern looking policemen who said they were given orders from above not to allow any journalist from having access to the collation center.
There was palpable apprehension across the state as news filtered that there were behind the scene moves by some elements to undermine the electoral process.
This has led to series of protests by the guvernorship campaign office of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which vowed to resist any attempt to undermine or doctor the guvernorship result.
The belief was even buoyed by a viral audio clip in which the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was heard instructing the returning officer of Fufoure LG, Dr. Bashir Daneji to favour the only female candidate in the election.
The electoral umpire later declared the result of the polls inconclusive despite the wide margin of over 30,000 votes between governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and his first runner up Sen Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani.
This paper also learnt that as at the time of filing this report, the returning officers of INEC are still ensconced in the state headquarters of the electoral umpire although the information could not be independently verified.
Multiple calls to the phone number of the resident electoral commissioner we’re not answered as at the time of filing this report.
Pls check your facts. There is no audio clip where REC was talking to Dr. Bashir Daneji. The viral audio clip was between REC and E. O. Fufore who is an employee of INEC. Dr. Bashir Daneji served as Collation officer (Ad-hoc staff) Fufore and no communication in whatever form between them. Be guided pls.