The Women in Politics Forum (WPF) has declared that Nigerian women would not allow the same mistakes of the past to be repeated during the gubernatorial election in Adamawa State. The WPF on Tuesday underscored the need for increased political engagement among women; a sentiment it has long championed.
WPF, a non-partisan, pan-Nigerian organisation with members across 36 states and the FCT in a statement said Nigerian women are aware that results from 20 local government areas have been collated, giving the APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani, an early and consistent lead.
The WPF directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to watch out for any compromise with the election results and to accord Senator Binani her mandate and declare her the winner.
The National President of the forum, Ebere Ifendu alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa, refused to compile the results of the governorship election from the Fufore local government area.
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Ifendu said, “We will not accept a repeat of history.” In 2011, Her Excellency Dame Pauline Tallen contested for the Plateau State Governorship election and was cruising to victory when announcing results suddenly stopped, and when it was finally announced, they had stolen her mandate. This was exactly the fate of Senator Aisha Al Hassan (Mama Taraba). Her victory was also stolen. We can no longer watch as our collective mandate is stolen from us.
“Nigerian women have worked hard and waited patiently for this victory, and woe betide that person who will be used against the wishes and aspirations of Adamawa people and Nigerian women.
“We can confirm from our agents in Adamawa State that Senator Aishatu Binani has an overwhelming lead in Fufore Local Government.
“We are aware of the manipulation going on in the state and the role of Governor Fintiri who had earlier used his state powers to frustrate Senator Binani’s campaign and has further gone ahead to tamper with the figures coming from Fufore LGA; which undoubtedly is Senator Binani’s stronghold, and was originally in favour of the APC candidate, using the state INEC officials and media to fabricate stories and raise false allegations against her.
“This is a grossly condemnable act, and we are raising our voices as Nigerian women to seek immediate intervention to prohibit and abort the manipulation against Senator Binani, as we see this as a daylight robbery of her mandate and an affront to Nigerian women.” Ifendu stated.
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The group stated that Nigerian women are requesting that INEC take steps to prevent the manipulation of the results and to ensure that Senator Aishatu Binani is given her mandate and recognised as the election’s victor.
They also called on security agencies to be more effective in protecting the public against attacks by political thugs.