Ari, in an interactive session with select journalists, yesterday, in Bauchi, said multiple sources of results contradict IREV documents after the attack on results collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said: “Collation started on Sunday, we almost finished on that day but only that of Fufore Council. While we were at the collation centre, I was informed, by phone, about snatching of ballot boxes at Fufore by unknown persons. I tried to get the story from the Commissioner of Police. It was impossible, but all I was required to do was to provide a replacement form for transfer of the stolen results.”
The REC said he asked whether there was an arrest, but there was none.
He added: “I brought the form and signed it and it was reported back at the collation centre. Then, at about 08:30 p.m., the form was brought in the company of party agents. We had a discussion with the Collation Officer, Prof. Mohammed Bilyaminu Mili, of the University of Maiduguri. We have the report from the IREV and then the report that was snatched by unknown persons, as well as the one they (party agents) brought.
“That means we have three different results. One needs to be careful in this case. I said I couldn’t declare this election based on these three results. The reliable one is that of the IREV, which we have to download. We tried to download, but they said it would be difficult to do; that it would take a longer time before it could be downloaded.”
He explained that he summoned courage to address people of the state about the development as the REC. He added that the Collation Officer announced to the gathering, about the disparity in the results and the need to reconcile them before declaration.
“That was done and reactions emanated, as they were about to grab us. We adjourned to reconvene at 02:00 p.m. on Monday, March 20, to allow us reconcile the results,” he added.
The REC said it was a difficult time for him because people were bent on the announcement.
He said: “I said we can’t. We must always do the right thing. At that time, the atmosphere was getting tense. Although I’m the Chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Election Security, while the Commissioner of Police (CP) is co-chairman. The CP may have some problems; he was timid, and said we have to declare this election today. I said I couldn’t sign. I insisted we must do the right thing. He said he could not guarantee my security in Adamawa and I said fine, before now, God has been keeping me safe.”
