IGP replaces Adamawa CP over governorship poll

The inspector-general of police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, has asked Mohammed Barde, commissioner of police in Adamawa, to withdraw from the state.

The IGP ordered Etim Equa, commissioner of police in Gombe to proceed to Adamawa immediately to provide election security in the state.

Muyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, made the announcement on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja.

There have been calls for Barde to be redeployed from the state following the declaration of Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa.

Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Commission (INEC), on Sunday, announced Binani winner of the election while under police protection led by Barde.

Adejobi said the force led by Baba is committed to a free and fair election process.

“The IGP has given a directive that the commissioner of police on election security in Adamawa state, CP Barde should pull out of Adamawa state and the commissioner of police in charge of Gombe state, CP Etim Equa to proceed to Adamawa immediately, to go and supervise the election and provide the necessary information and ensure that the process is a success,” Adejobi said.

The Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.

The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.

However, Yunusa-Ari declared Binani as the winner when the results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced.

INEC subsequently discontinued the exercise and described his action as null and void, adding that the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer.

The development triggered protests in the state. Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a demonstration on Monday, marching through the streets of Yola, the capital of the state.

Meanwhile, INEC has commenced the collation of election results in the state.