Atiku worried by emergency rule in Adamawa

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed worries that the prevailing state of emergency imposed on Adamawa state may affect the conduct of the October 11 governorship poll in the state.

Three states ─ Adamawa, Borno and Yobe ─ were placed under emergency rule last year in a bid to contain the activities of Boko Haram.

But Atiku, a presidential hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is of the opinion that while there was need to maintain security in the state, the situation could impact on free and fair elections.

He called for an urgent meeting of stakeholders in the state ahead of the poll.

Atiku said that apart from denying the people the freedom to cast their ballots, attendance at political rallies and gatherings would be compromised.

The emergency rule also calls to question the expected level-playing ground, he said, pointing out that the PDP-controlled federal government is an interested party in the election.

Meanwhile, Rev. Phineas Padio, the APC secretary in Adamawa, said the Sunday’s primary to pick its flag bearer in the by-election was going on smoothly.

PDP has already picked the acting governor, Hon. Umaru Fintiri, as its candidate in its primary on Saturday.

“The primaries are going on smoothly in the 21 local government areas of the state with the exception of Madagali and Michika whose venues were changed to Gombi Local Government due to security challenges,” he said.

Padio said said about 6,500 delegates were participating in electing the party’s flag bearer from the six aspirants contesting.

He explained that the results from the local government areas would be sent to the state party secretariat in Yola which would serve as collation centre.

In Jada LGA, where Atiku voted (pictured), the exercise was peaceful.

The aspirants contesting in the primary are Mr Boss Mustafa, Sen Bindo Jibrilla, Sen Ahmed Barata, Mr Yakubu Tsala, Mr Emmanuel Bello and Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa.