The Audacity of Brigandage
By Tunde Asaju
So, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa, Mr Yunusa got tired of following due process and so decided to apply undue influence by declaring Senator Aisha Binani as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa State. This is in utter disregard of protocol and the law. Wow! Just wow!
True these things happen when demented folks act ultra vires of the law as if we are still in the cave where only might is right. I have been trying to process what must have been going on before this guy decided to bring it before the cameras.
I am also absolutely shocked that Mrs Binani in spite of the evident error shamelessly even gave an acceptance speech grinning from molar to premolar. Such an evident shame disgraces womanhood in a way and manner that I will find absolutely impossible to support.
It is now obvious that in most of the ‘election’ procedures in Adamawa, nay Nigeria were not elections at all. It is now fair to conclude that some people with power simply have an anointed candidate in mind, then wait for the decisive moment to foist such a candidate on the people where they can.
This one was just overzealous. He felt he could issue the decree and get backing. Imagine what could have happened if the people did not have the press and social media.This is NOT democracy.
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I know that INEC jumped in to save the day and order him and their returning officer to report to Abuja in an attempt to save face. This is not a good evidence that any but few of the last elections truly reflected the true will of the people. If thus comes to the fore, Imagine what has been buried!
One us totally gobsmacked at the desperation of the ruining party to completely annihilate the opposition and clip the wings of the opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar in his home state.
One could conjecture why Buhari personally went to Yola to raise the hand of this woman while basically boycotting other campaigns. One could conjecture the relationship between this Binani woman and Buhari’s cabal led by…you know who, if not ask Najaatu Mohammed.
This is another evidence that what Nigeria practices is NOT democracy. This is another reason why vigilance and resilience is needed if we are to grow the seeds of peoples power and nurture it to fruition. It is what is required.
As the unknown supporter of Hajiya Binani and female participation in politics,I am thoroughly ashamed. This is NOT dignifying. This level of desperation should disqualify her from participating in any future poll and nullify her seat in parliament.
True we need more female participation in national and global politics, but as THE dignified gender, they must come with unblemished hands and unquestioned integrity.
As for Yunusa and his crew, we must watch and see the law punish them to the hilt. That’s only one way to prevent pigs from roiling in our pristine waters of politics.
Asaju is a columnist with Daily Trust
