Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, has denied offering a N2bn bribe to an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be declared winner of the election.
Recall that the collation of the election result was suspended for some days after Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Commission (INEC) declared Binani as the winner when the results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was announced as winner of the election after collation resumed on Tuesday, April 18.
Reacting to allegation of offering the sum of N2 billion to “procure a favourable declaration as governor-elect to some unnamed INEC staff”, Binani stated that the report is “very bizarre, unfounded and wild allegations”.
She said;
“I never did, I would never do such. I wish to reiterate that I am a democrat. I have always been a committed democrat and will never do anything to subvert the democratic process. I am not a do-or-die politician. In the past, I have won elections into the house of representatives and the senate in a free and fair manner.
“What happened in Adamawa was an unsuccessful attempt to subvert the will of the people. The REC was illegally told to stand down by two INEC national commissioners from Abuja who were supposed to be in Adamawa in a supervisory capacity. Even more curious is the nocturnal visit of some INEC national officers to the Adamawa state government house and the bizarre declaration the same day after the visit that they have taken over the collation through the backdoor with the collation and returning officers selected by the governor of Adamawa.
“The roles of these INEC officers from Abuja and the real mission of the two to the government house should be of interest to all democrats. I urge all lovers of democracy to take a deeper interest in our electoral process and democracy not only in Adamawa but in the whole country.”
She also thanked her supporters for their “unflinching support in the midst of half-truths and opposition smear propaganda”.