*Says she has always been a true democrat
By; TINA PHINEAS, Yola
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Senator Aisha Ahmed Dahiru Binani has denied giving a bribe of 2 billion Naira to some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official to procure a favourable declaration as governor-elect.
Binani who made this known in a statement made available to newsmen, said the report is “very bizarre, unfounded and wild allegations.
“I never did, I would never do such,” the statement reads.
“I wish to reiterate that I am a democrat. I have always been a committed democrat and will never do anything to subvert the democratic process.
“I am not a do-or-die politician. In the past, I have won elections into the House of Representatives and the Senate in a free and fair manner.
“What happened in Adamawa was an unsuccessful attempt to subvert the will of the people.
“The REC was illegally told to stand down by two INEC national commissioners from Abuja who were supposed to be in Adamawa in a supervisory capacity,” she stated.
Binani however, drew attention to the nocturnal visit of some INEC national officers to the Adamawa State government house and the bizarre declaration the same day after the visit.
“The roles of these INEC officers from Abuja and the real mission of the two to the government house should be of interest to all democrats.
“I urge all lovers of democracy to take a deeper interest in our electoral process and democracy, not only in Adamawa, but in the whole country.”, Binani pointed out.
She thanked her supporters for their unflinching support in the midst of half-truths and opposition smear propaganda.
It would be recalled that the Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday, following the declaration of the March 18 polls as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.
The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.
However, things took a dramatic turn when Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Commission (INEC), declared Binani winner, when the results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced.
After her declaration, there were reports that the APC candidate gave INEC officials N2 billion to be announced as the winner.
INEC subsequently discontinued the exercise and described his action as null and void, adding that the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer.
On Tuesday, INEC commenced the collation of election results in the state, and Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was announced winner.
