THE Adamawa State government has asked the Police to investigate and prosecute persons involved in the “illegal” declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

The demand is coming nine days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ahmadu Finitiri as winner of the poll.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, the state Commissioner of Justice has written to the Police commissioner requesting that the election saga be investigated so culprits can be prosecuted.

The statement, released on Thursday, April 27, mandated the Police to commence investigations, after which prosecution can be conducted.

“The State Government, in a letter to the State Police Command signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Afraimu Jingi, wants the Police to prosecute for possible prosecution of all those found guilty in the saga and role played by each.

“The State Government has pledged its support to the state police command towards ensuring the logical conclusion of the investigation.

“The State Government is worried that Hudu’s action threatened the hard-earned peace that the present administration has built in the last four years,” the statement said.

The supplementary election in Adamawa was mired in controversy. 

On April 16, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, announced Binani winner of the election while collation was still ongoing. 

The announcement elicited protests from members of the PDP present at the state collation centre in Yola, the state capital. 

When the REC made this declaration, only results from 10 out of 20 LGAs had been announced, and Binani was trailing Fintiri, the incumbent governor.

The ICIR had reported that INEC rejected the declaration and suspended the REC. 

The Commission’s spokesman, Festus Okoye, said, “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.”

Two days after, INEC declared Fintiri the winner of the election.