According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, President Muhammadu Buhari did not intervene in the governorship election in Adamawa state. Mohammed stated that the president’s non-interference was because he does not need to micromanage any government institution.

This comment was made in response to the suspension of Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa resident electoral commissioner, for what was referred to as “unwholesome behaviour”. During the governorship supplementary election in Adamawa, Yunusa-Ari declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner while the results were still being collated. This action led to protests in the state, with members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) marching through the streets of Yola, the state capital, to express their dissatisfaction.

During the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Mohammed explained that President Buhari did not intervene in the crisis because he does not micromanage any of the government’s institutions. It is clear from Mohammed’s statement that the president prefers to allow the institutions to carry out their duties without interference from the presidency.

“I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts its elections. So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it,” the minister said.

“The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees INEC and he’s handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?”

“You said INEC took certain steps, right, it is in the context of INEC to so do. I’m not aware that there’s a petition. It was not addressed to me. That’s why I said your best bet is probably to ask INEC.

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p data-reader-unique-id=”15″>“You see, the President does not micromanage every institution…I think I’m the wrong question you are asking this question.”