Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai from Bayero University, Kano State, has spoken against the February 25th election result that was announced by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yakubu Mahmood.
The professor, who served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 Tudun Wada/Doguwa House of Representatives Elections, testified that the result he declared on the 26th February, 2023, was under duress for fear of losing his life and other INEC officials who were with him.
He noted in a letter that his collation area was completely under siege by thugs who threatened to burn down the INEC facility if he did not declare the result within one hour.
His letter, titled,“DECLARATION OF TUDUN WADA/DOGUWA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES RESULT UNDER DURESS,” reads: “I served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 Tudun Wada/Doguwa House of Representatives Elections whose result was declared by me on the 26 February, 2023.
“However, I will like to testify that the declaration I made was under duress for fear of losing my life and other INEC officials who were with me. The collation area was completed under siege, threatening to burn down the INEC facility if I did not declare the result within one hour.
“I was completely traumatized, hopeless and confused which did not give me the stability of mind to work in accordance with the Electoral Act and election guidelines as areas or polling units where the elections were cancelled, the total number of accredited voters were not compared with margin of the scores that led to the declaration and finally the situation my colleagues and I found ourselves could not give us the opportunity to attend to the complaints of non-use of BVAS in some polling units.
“I hope my statement would be kindly looked at and necessary action to be taken in accordance with section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022. Thank you. Yours faithfully.”
Reacting to the letter, Dino Melaye, spokesman for the presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party, wrote: “A professor writes to denounce election results he declared in the just concluded election. Small Small we dey gather more evidence. Yahoo election and the beneficiary will fall. Oyibo wey do pencil na im do cleaner.”
