The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released particulars of 28 gubernatorial candidates in Adamawa State amidst anxiety over who would emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer.
Plethora of petitions against the candidature of Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow who was declared winner of the controversial primary election had generated uncertainty about who will make the final list.
Jibrilla emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst contention over his O’ level school certificate.
The INEC’s published credentials stirred curiosity as they contained testimonial for Jibrilla from Government Secondary School Miango rather than WAEC O’ level certificate as presented by candidates of other parties.
Daily Trust reported that an Abuja high court had recently ordered that summon be served on Governor Jibrilla and the WAEC after a non-governmental organisation filed a case of WAEC certificate forgery against the governor.
The inclusion of a testimonial raised questions as voters were seen snapping the document with their handsets and flipping through other papers attached to the form.
Meanwhile, a federal Commissioner of INEC, retired Air Vice Marshal Ahmad Muazu who inspected the ongoing permanent voter’s card distribution in the state lamented low turnout.
Muazu, who was accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam, observed the usual voter’s apathy, advising voters against last-minute rush.
He said the claims and objection stage of the exercise afford voters to correct mistakes in their particulars as well as help the commission identify foreigners, under age voters, dead persons and other illegible voters in the register.