Gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, Nuhu Ribadu has called for the cancellation of Friday’s gubernatorial primary over widespread irregularities.
In a Saturday press conference in the state capital, Yola, the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss also faulted the direct primary option adopted, saying that party members in all the 226 wards in the state could not participate in the process.
He said, “We were opposed to indirect primaries ab initio because we believe the process that brought those expected to participate in the process was undemocratic. They were largely handpicked by those who hijacked the party congresses in Adamawa.
“It was therefore with scepticism that I and my campaign organisation accepted to have party officials at the ward levels to superintend the direct primaries at their respective wards, under the supervision of the panel sent from Abuja. Indeed, at a meeting between the committee and aspirants, I made a strong case for neutral people to conduct the elections.
“To our shock and amazement, our worst fears were confirmed, as the electoral process was completely hijacked across the state.
“Thousands of our supporters trooped to all the 226 wards early enough on Friday to exercise their rights. They waited for hours under the sun till the sunset without sighting any official.
“Personally, I visited some of the wards within the metropolis where we met anxious people that were angry at the absence of persons that would coordinate the elections. It is similar report we got from our agents from across the state.
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“The election materials distributed at the local government headquarters were hijacked by government officials and party leaders, who went on to fill out funny figures and return them to the returning officers as results from the wards.”
He said that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should do the right thing and cancel the entire process.
“The National Working Committee should, as a matter of urgency, step in and save our party from this embarrassing situation, one that is capable of eroding public confidence on the party and its leadership.
“We demand immediate cancellation of the so-called results being announced currently as they are figures cooked up by shameless persons who have no credibility and popularity to withstand free and fair contest. We reiterate that no election has taken place anywhere in Adamawa State and it is therefore impossible to declare any result.
“The party executives at the wards and local government levels should be immediately disbanded as they have demonstrated their bias and showcased that they cannot be fair and just to all party members.”