Fintiri’s reelection, a hard won victory for Nigerians, say PDP Governors

…A monumental triumph for democracy, party leadership

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, (PDP-GF) has lauded the reelection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, describing it as a hard fought and hard won victory not just for him (Gov. Fintiri) but also for the State, democracy and due process in Nigeria.
Similarly, the PDP national leadership has described Fintiri’s victory as a momentous triumph for democracy and the Will of the people of Adamawa State over tyranny and desperate manipulative forces which sought to take over control of the State illegally.
The PDP-GF, in a message of felicitation with the Governor, signed by its Director-General, Hon CID Maduabum, pointed out that Nigeria has, indeed, just been rescued from descent into the abyss, adding “We have just has dodged another bullet’.
The Forum commend the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, for redeeming itself and hopes that this is a harbinger of things to come.
The PDP-GF said, “It is in this regard that the Commission is requested to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions have been identified.
“Where the matters have been taken to the Tribunal, INEC should assume a garb and toga of neutrality and inform the Tribunals of the actual events that transpired in the elections.
“It has been shown by today’s development that INEC can reverse itself where mistakes have been made.
“We call on Gov. Fintiri to continue to justify this huge mandate and trust of the people of Adamawa State”, the forum concluded in its statement.
In its statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, the party said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the victory of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the Adamawa State Governorship election as a momentous triumph for democracy and the Will of the people of Adamawa State over tyranny and desperate manipulative forces which sought to take over control of the State illegally.
“The spontaneous jubilation of citizens in Adamawa State and across our nation at the official declaration of Governor Fintiri as the rightful winner of the election irrespective of the nefarious schemes by the rejected All Progressives Congress (APC) is a confirmation that the PDP and its candidate are indeed the choice of the people.
“Governor Fintiri’s overwhelming victory is a validation that the Will of the people cannot be subdued no matter the plot by a tyrannic, domineering and power-grabbing few who, with over-bloated ambition, desperately sought to subvert our democracy, scuttle the electoral process, compromise the judiciary, subjugate the people and impose an unconstitutional regime in the polity.
“The PDP salutes the courage, resilience and determination of the people of Adamawa State in resisting the defeated APC and compromised INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari in their bid to destabilize the State.
“Our Party also lauds the Adamawa State Returning Officer, Mohammed Mele for his courage in standing on the side of justice, due process and democracy in the discharge of his duty.
“The PDP salutes the roles played by the International and domestic election Observers, the Media, Organized Civil Society and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians in ensuring that the mandate of the people of Adamawa State freely given to the PDP and our Candidate, Governor Fintiri, was not hijacked by APC supplanters.
“The PDP congratulates Governor Fintiri and the people of Adamawa State and urges the Governor to continue in his landmark transformational delivery of democracy dividends to the people in line with the manifesto, programmes and policies of the PDP”, the statement by the PDP said.