Facts have emerged as to why the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, withdrew the declaration of the embattled majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, as the winner of Tudunwada/Doguwa Federal Constituency election held on February 25.
In the list of elected members of the National Assembly released by the commission on Monday, INEC marked the election in Mr Doguwa’s constituency as “DECLARATION MADE UNDER DURESS”.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the returning officer for the election, Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai wrote a letter to Kano resident electoral commissioner, Abdu Zango, saying he returned Mr Doguwa winner of the election under duress.
In a letter dated February 27 and signed by Mr Yakasai, the professor stated unequivocally that he made the declaration under duress for fear of losing his life and other INEC officials who were with him.
He also stated that the collation area was under siege by thugs threatening to burn down the INEC facility if he did not declare the results within one hour.
Upon Mr Yakasai’s letter, the lawyers of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, wrote to the chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, requesting the commission, on the strength of Section 65, to review the declaration and return within seven days as it is established that the said declaration of Mr Yakasai was made involuntarily and under duress.
“The General Elections for Presidential and House of Representatives seats held on the 25th of February 2023. The elections for the Tudun Wada/Doguwa House of Representatives seat also held on that day,” the lawyers said in the letter.
“The results of the elections were subsequently declared on Sunday, the 26h of February, 2023 by the Returning officer, Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano Nigeria.
“Our Client is aware, and it is a well-known fact, that ihe elections for the seat were not free and fair and was marred by violence and threats to life of electoral officers, the Returning officer and his team inclusive.
“The declaration of results was made under duress and fear of death as the collation area was completely besieged by hoodlums under the command and control of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the purported winner of the election to whom the Commission issued a Certificate of Return.
“Please find attached the final result sheet of the elections showing that Mr Alhassan Ado Doguwa purportedly won the elections with a total of 39,732 votes and signed by Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai, the Returning officer.”
Although INEC did not reveal its next line of action, DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that there may be a rerun in the election.
