The Independent National Electoral Commission Thursday explained how Binani Printing Press Limited, got the contract to print some of the sensitive election materials for the Commission.
Binani is owned by Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, Adamawa State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in this Saturday’s elections.
INEC in a statement signed by a National Commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye said the APC flagbearer’s name was not listed as one of the Directors of Binani at the time the contract was awarded.
Okoye said what earned Binani the contract was its technical capacity, security consciousness and expertise in printing security documents.
Besides, the National Commissioner who is also Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee argued that the contract was to help Nigerian printers and assist in growing the national economy.
The statement reads” Our attention has been drawn to a news report that the Commission awarded a contract for the printing of sensitive election materials to Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed. It was alleged in the report that she owns Binani Printing Press Limited.
“Procurements in the Commission go through open competitive bidding and Binani Printing Press Limited was one of the security printing companies that applied to print security documents for the Commission.
“After inspecting the company’s facility and carrying out due diligence at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Commission was satisfied that they are qualified printers with the requisite technical capacity, security consciousness and expertise in printing security documents.
” However, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed was not listed as one of the Directors of Binani Printing Press Limited.
“The Commission decided to print all the security documents for the 2023 General Election in the country to help Nigerian printers and assist in growing the national economy.
“The Commission will continue to carry out due diligence in its procurement activities.”
