Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, a parliamentary aspirant for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yendi constituency has asked the constituents and the general public to disregard a declaration indicating her opponent, Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama emerged winner in the Saturday primary.
Following a disruption of the process which abrupted the counting and subsequent announcement of the results, the 3rd National Vice Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Masahudu Osman, declared the incumbent MP, Aliu Mahama, winner.
In a statement issued by Madam Abibata Sunday, January 28, 2024, and signed by her Campaign Spokesperson, she underlined the issues that characterised the process, making the declaration illegal.
Aside from the Electoral Commission official jumping from 69 to 80 during the counting, Madam Shann says “the malevolent actions of the EC officials quickly provoked violent attacks from some party supporters who ended up destroying the ballot papers.”
Find below the full statement issued by the woman’s camp:
GJA calls for arrest of Yendi MP Aliu Mahama for allegedly assaulting a journalist
PRESS RELEASE ON THE PURPOTED DECLARATION OF HON UMAR FAROUK
ALIU MAHAMA AS THE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE ELECT FOR THE YENDI
CONSTITUENCY BY THE 3RD NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW
PATRIOTIC PARTY ALHAJI MASAHUDU OSMAN.
All Media Houses, 28/01/2024
Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media which captures the 3rd
National Vice Chairperson of the NPP declaring Farouk Aliu Mahama as the Parliamentary
candidate elect for the Yendi constituency after the Saturday, January 27, 2024
parliamentary primaries were disrupted. We want to state the following facts.
1. Counting of ballot papers in the 2024 Yendi Parliamentary Election was profoundly
and fiercely interrupted and halted due to a deliberate attempt by some Electoral
Commission officials to manipulate the figures and overturn the verdict in favor of
the incumbent MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama.
2. The Electoral Commission officials whether by miscalculation or by design during
the counting of the ballot papers in the full glare of party supporters jumped the
count from 69 straight to 80 which was his first attempt to increase the votes of my
opponent by 10 more.
3. As if that was not enough, they were also caught by vigilant agents and other
observers for fraudulently destroying and even concealing some of the ballot papers
belonging to Hajia Abibata in his jacket.
4. The malevolent actions of the EC officials quickly provoked violent attacks from
some party supporters who ended up destroying the ballot papers.
5. It took the swift intervention of the Police present to protect the EC officials, and
both aspirants were advised by the Security to move from the scene. The election
can therefore not be declared without the aspirants or our assigned agents.
6. The purported declaration made by the 3rd National Vice Chairman is illegitimate and
should be disregarded. The situation remains under review.
7. The NPP, as a party committed to due process, emphasizes the importance of legal and
procedural oversight in determining the legitimacy of any such declaration. A formal
petition will be sent to the relevant stakeholders to deal with it.
8. While we appreciate the passion and commitment of our party members, we urge all
stakeholders to respect established party structures and refrain from making premature
pronouncements until an official decision is reached.
9. The New Patriotic Party reaffirms its commitment to fairness, transparency, and adherence
to democratic principles. We assure our members and the public that the party leadership
will take appropriate actions.
As we work diligently to address this matter, we call for calm and patience among our party
members. Further updates on the situation will be communicated as soon as official information becomes available.
END.
*Signed***
Campaign Spokesperson (0243560567)
