Doguwa pointed gun at my head, forced me to declare him winner – Kano INEC Returning Officer

The Kano State INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakassai has written to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu explaining how the House of Representatives Majority leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa held officials hostage at the collation centre.

The INEC in the remark section of the list of winners of February, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections said, Doguwa’s name was missing because his name was declared by the Returning Officer under duress.

In the letter dated February 27, Prof. Yakasai explained that he feared losing his life and those of other INEC officials who were with him, hence, he declared Alhassan Ado Doguwa winner for their safety.

He said the collation centre was under siege by thugs the House Majority leader led to the centre and were threatening to burn down INEC facility, if he was not declared winner within an hour.

CAPITAL POST reports that violence ensued despite the ‘forced declaration’ in the constituency leading to deaths of some persons, while others sustained gun shot wounds which the embattled lawmaker has been arrested for his role in the crisis.

In particular, Doguwa was said to have ordered the burning down of the New Nigeria Political Party, NNPP Secretariat, an allegation the lawmaker however, has denied.

Kano State Police Command confirmed the incident and arrested the lawmaker at the Aminu Kano International Airport while on his way out of the State.

He was charged at the Magistrate Court for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and arson and was later remanded in prison custody, but a Federal High Court in Kano on Monday, February 6, 2023 admitted him to bail of N500 million and declared him persona non grata in his constituency during the Satuday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections.