Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has shed light on President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision not to intervene in the recent Adamawa gubernatorial election controversy.
According to Mohammed, it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to handle the issue concerning the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari.
Speaking at a briefing on the outcomes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister disclosed that the President did not intervene in the matter because he prefers not to micromanage any government institution.
Mohammed clarified that he was unaware of a petition requesting Buhari to take action against Ari, who is an INEC employee.
Recall that Ari had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Binani, the winner of the election prematurely, despite the collation not being completed.
This prompted INEC to report the matter to the appointing authority for appropriate action.
The Minister’s explanation comes on the heels of widespread criticism that the President has not done enough to address the issue.
Many Nigerians took to social media to express their disappointment, with some calling for the immediate removal of Ari.
Meanwhile, the Governor-elect of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the deputy governor-elect, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, have received their Certificates of Return in Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission presented the certificates to the newly re-elected governor and his new deputy around 5pm on Wednesday at its national headquarters.
The Returning Officer, Muhammed Melee, declared Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party winner on Tuesday after polling 430,861 votes to defeat his major counterpart Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress who polled 398,788.
