‘Declared under duress’ — INEC removes Doguwa’s name from reps-elect list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed Alhassan Doguwa’s name from the list of elected members of the house of representatives for the 10th assembly.

The electoral umpire had declared Doguwa, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the house of representatives seat for the Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency of Kano in the February 25 elections.

Ibrahim Yakasai, the returning officer, had said Doguwa scored 39,732 votes to defeat Salisu Abdullahi, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who polled 34,798 votes.

But Doguwa’s name was missing from the list of elected house of representatives members released by INEC on Tuesday morning.

In a comment posted on the list, INEC said Doguwa’s declaration as the winner was made under duress.

The development adds to the issues the lawmaker is contending with.

Doguwa is standing trial over alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, mischief, and public disturbance.

On February 28, he was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while boarding a flight to Abuja.

He was arrested after police received a report that he allegedly led thugs to set ablaze the secretariat of the NNPP in Kano, with two persons feared dead.

Although the legislator denied any wrongdoing, he was arraigned on March 1, at a magistrate court in Kano and was subsequently remanded in prison.

On Monday, a federal high court granted him bail to the sum of N500 million.

Doguwa is the majority leader of the house of representatives.

The Cable