Partisan Politics: NSCDC Summons Commandant Over Alleged Role In Adamawa State Supplementary Election
In the wake of the drama which played out on Sunday, April 17, 2023 during the collation of results for the Adamawa State Supplementary election, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has swung into action to avoid a dent on its revered image.
It’s now common knowledge that the now concluded Adamawa Governorship election was shrouded in controversy following the unlawful declaration of Senator Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the now suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, even when collation of results was still ongoing.
Upon resumption of the collation of Saturday’s supplementary election results yesterday, Tuesday, governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was returned as the elected governor of the state for a second term. He polled 430,861 votes to defeat his fiercest challenger, Senator Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 398,788 votes.
Consequently, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has summoned the State Commandant, Muhammad Bello, to the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
A Statement by the Director, Public Relations, NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja, CC Olusola Odumosu, explained that the Corps was alleged of complicity along with other security agencies and this has necessitated the call for Muhammad Bello to report to Abuja with immediate effect.
“The Corps helmsman directed the State Commandant to immediately hand over affairs of the Command to his immediate subordinate to allow him time to provide the management of the Corps with an explanation on the role he played in the exercise.”
Dr Audi emphasised that NSCDC is a non-partisan, non-political organisation that will not tolerate the involvement of personnel or any of its formation in political controversies as widely alleged.
“I have summoned the State Commandant to National Headquarters to face the management team and explain himself in clear terms.
“We are renowned for our integrity, neutrality and non partisanship in election matters, that is why we will not take the case of Adamawa lightly.
“I have ordered him to hand over the Command to his immediate deputy because his role in the rerun election is currently being investigated and if he is found culpable, then he will have himself to blame,” CG said.
CG Audi expects his personnel to maintain decorum and order and to always demonstrate restraint and civility in the course of executing their lawful duties.
He warned that a probe into the controversial election is underway and the deserving punitive measure to any culprit would discourage other personnel desirous of such an ignoble conduct.
