Why Buhari Refused To Involve In Adamawa Electoral Crisis-Presidency
The presidency has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari in the crisis that took place in the electoral crisis that confronted the rerun governorship in Adamawa, stating that the President refused to interfere in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election impasse because because he does not micromanage any institution of government.
The presidency has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari in the crisis that took place in the electoral crisis that confronted the rerun governorship in Adamawa, stating that the President refused to interfere in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election impasse because because he does not micromanage any institution of government.
The Presidency maintained that Buhari believed that the responsibility to deal with the infraction by the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while answering questions from State House Correspondents, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), said President Buhari did not intervene in the Adamawa State election crisis because he does not micromanage any institution of government.
According to Mohammed, he was not aware that a petition had been written to Buhari on the need to take action against Ari, who he stressed is an employee of the electoral body.
Recall that Ari had illegally declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Binani, as the winner of the controversial election even as collation of results of 10 LGAs were still ongoing.
INEC, however, reversed the declaration and consequently summoned the REC to Abuja, while asking the Police authority to investigate the matter and prosecute the officer.
"I don't think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections.
“So, there's no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it.
"The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees INEC and he's handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?"
When further probed on the reaction of the President, the minister said: "The President does not micromanage any institution. I think you go ask INEC. INEC handles all these businesses. Honestly, if I were you, I will ask INEC that question.
"You said INEC took certain steps, right, it in the context of INEC to so do. I'm not aware that there's a petition. It was not addressed to me.
"That's why I said your best bet is probably to ask INEC. You see, the President does not micromanage every institution...I think I'm the wrong question you are asking this question." The minister said.
The Minister further stressed that why he accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, of committing treason, was because of his running mate, who he alleged that called for insurrection adding that Obi did not react, and therefore, he was guilty as charged.
"What I said about Mr Peter Obi is very clear. I said Mr Peter Obi has every right to seek redress in court like Labour Party. But nobody has the right to call for insurrection or to threaten to say that if the President-elect is sworn in, that will be the end of democracy.
"That was precisely what the running mate of Mr Peter Obi said on live television. And I have not heard Peter Obi rein him in or correct him.
"So, if your running mate said something, of course, he is saying it on behalf of the party and that of the candidate.
"That's why it's an act of treason for anybody to say if a duly elected president in Nigeria is sworn in, that will be the end of democracy.
"It's treason for anybody to say if you swear in a duly elected president, you're swearing in the military. It is crazy. So, I don't see anything controversial in that." He stated.
Lai Mohammed also explained that his United States trip was to balance what he called the skewed reports on the recent general election.
"The most transparent, freest and authentic ever held despite the effort of the opposition to delegitimize or discourage the election." He said.
He described the 2023 elections as the least violent in the country's history, adding that President Buhari did not allow anyone to use security agencies to rig the election.
The minister was responding to comments of the opposition, who accused the government of using security agencies to intimidate voters and manipulate the election results.
In another development, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said he was not aware that the Comptoller General of Immigration, Idaho Jere Idris, has been removed.
Earlier on Wednesday, reports say that Immigration boss had been asked to leave office following the expiration of his initial extended one year tenure.
But when asked to clarify the matter, Aregbesola said: "It is Greek to me."
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