By Emma Peter, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has delivered the State for the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) as announced by the returning officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Kabir Bala, Vice Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University zaria.
According to him, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, scored a total number of 28, 8679 to defeat his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who scored 285, 444 votes
Meanwhile, the candidate of the Labour party, Peter Obi, secured a total number of 6,2508 votes.
Reacting over the result, the agent of the People’s Democratic party (PDP), who is also the state Director General Atiku/Okowa campaign organization, Yusuf Suleiman, raised concerns regarding the defranchisement of over 300,000 voters as a result of violence and election malpractices. Adding that the result announced doesn’t reflect the wishes of the people of Sokoto State.
He pointed out that in an election where over 400 polling units were cancelled with the registered voters of 301,000, according to him, that indicates that something was obsoletely wrong in the election.
However, the returning officer for the election Prof. Bala admitted that there were hitches during the election but said such should be addressed to the appropriate channels and according to the electoral laws.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the announcement, Yusuf maintained that if Nigerians continue to accept this kind of election results, it would encourage those who are perpetrating violence.
“I have made it clear that this doesn’t in anyway doesn’t represent the wishes of the people of Sokoto State. It is a great misrepresentation. In an election where 400 polling units were cancelled with the total registered voters of over 301,000, you should know that something is obsoletely wrong.
“I believe that if we continue to collate this kind of election results, we are only rewarding those who are perpetrating violence. They must be apprehended and brought to book. If you let them get away with this, I can assure you that they will double there efforts”, he said.
Yusuf continue,”Mr. President has promised free, fear, and credible election but obviously some people around him and his government are trying to sabotage his efforts. They came to Sokoto and destroyed the elections.
“I want INEC to conduct election in this 471 polling units affected across the state and provide adequate security to ensure that nobody penetrate those polling units.
When asked whether if INEC would accept to conduct the election in the affected polling units, “it is not a matter of if, INEC must conduct the election”, Yusuf emphatically said.
Meanwhile, the state resident commissioner said the result of the Senate, House of Representatives are being announced at their various constituencies as some of the results are yet to be announced.
