•••INSISTS OBI IS GUILTY OF TREASON BY ASSOCIATION
The Federal Government on Wednesday, explained why President Muhammadu Buhari refused to interfere in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election impasse, maintaining that the responsibility to deal with the infraction by the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, answering questions from State House Correspondents, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), said President Buhari did not intervene in the Adamawa State election crisis because he does not micromanage any institution of government.
Mohammed said he was not aware that a petition had been written to Buhari on the need to take action against Yunusa-Ari, who he stressed is an employee of the electoral body.
The REC had illegally declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Binani, as the winner of the controversial election even as collation of results of 10 LGAs were still ongoing.
INEC, however, reversed the declaration and consequently summoned the REC to Abuja, while asking the Police authority to investigate the matter and prosecute the officer.
“I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections.
“So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it.
“The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees INEC and he’s handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?”
When further probed on the reaction of the President, the minister said: “The President does not micromanage any institution. I think you go ask INEC. INEC handles all these businesses. Honestly, if I were you, I will ask INEC that question.
“You said INEC took certain steps, right, it in the context of INEC to so do. I’m not aware that there’s a petition. It was not addressed to me.
“That’s why I said your best bet is probably to ask INEC. You see, the President does not micromanage every institution…I think I’m the wrong question you are asking this question.” The minister said.
