Bauchi Governor Storms Aso Rock Over Inconclusive Election Declared By INEC

The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday, stormed the presidential villa over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of the state’s gubernatorial election as inconclusive.

The governor, while speaking with State House correspondents, said the purpose of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari was to brief him on the issue.

Abubakar said the commission introduced procedure not known to the laws of the land during the March 9th elections in the state, adding that its declaration on the election was “extra illegal.”

He said “I briefed him on the issues surrounding the inconclusive elections, the Returning Officer for Bauchi State at the end of collation, rejected the result of Tafawa Balewa local government and then 36 other units spread around 15 local governments of Bauchi state and ordered a rerun.

“Surprisingly, we woke up one morning and the independent electoral commission came up with a procedure that is not known to law.

“Because, where a Returning Officer has declared the result, only an election petition tribunal can reverse the result. But INEC is attempting to reverse itself in the case of Bauchi. And when one juxtapose that of Bauchi and other states with inconclusive elections, one wonders why that is happening only in Bauchi State.

“So, for that reason there is a need for me to come and brief Mr. President because that has the potential of touching on the security of the state.”

He added “Of course it is definitely extra illegal. It is a straight forward matter. The returning officer is the final arbiter even with respect to scores and declaration of result.

“And once he makes a declaration, no power can reverse that declaration except duly constituted court of the land.

“I said I came to brief Mr. President, I am not seeking any action of Mr. President. We all know Mr. President, he is a stickler for procedure.

“What I pointedly told him was that I am not here to seek for you to interfere on our behalf sir but to brief you on what is happening and what actions I have taken.”

On what actions he has taken, he said he is “pursuing the legal angle.”

“I briefed him and he emphasized on that legal angle that it is the best way to go.”

On the security of the state, the governor said “We are on top of the situation, thank God. We have since ordered the van on procession in the metropolis and things are very very calm.”