Maureen Okpe
Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), a non partisan Organization for women has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to put an end to what it described as an ‘attempt at mandate robbery’ in Adamawa state.
The president WIPF Ebere Ifendu in a statement on Monday, in Abuja stressed that the forum will not accept a repeat of history, where the mandate of women were stolen from them.
Ifendu lamented the gross misconduct and manipulation at the Adamawa state Governorship election results collation center, adding the security agencies should ensure efforts are made to protect lives as attack on persons continue.
“Nigerian women are calling on INEC to ensure that the results are not manipulated and that Senator Aishatu Binani is given her mandate and declared the winner of the election.
“We are also using this medium to call on security agencies to be more effective in protecting the public against attacks by political thugs. We have received reports of violent attacks on innocent citizens of the state. We demand that the perpetrators of violence should be arrested and prosecuted while the police is more vigilant and proactive to prevent violence.
“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 strong hold ,and originally in favour of the APC candidate, and using the state INEC officials and media to fabricate stories and raising 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.
“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 of results suddenly stoped 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 our collective mandate stolen from us.”
The President further noted that, “Nigerian Women have worked hard and waited patiently for this victory and woe betide that person that will be used against the wishes and aspirations of Adamawa people and Nigerian women.
“The Forum is aware of This follows refusal by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa, to collate governorship results from Fufore local government area.
“Results from 20 local government areas have been collated, giving the APC gubernatorial candidate,Senator Aishatu Binani an early and consistent lead,” the statement noted.
“We can confirm from our agents in Adamawa State that Senator Aishatu Binani is having overwhelming lead in Fufore Local Government.