The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared as null and void, the announcement of Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.
The cancellation of the announcement is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education of INEC, Barr. Festus Okoye.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, in Adamawa, had declared Binani as the winner on Sunday, a situation which ignited the fire of controversy.
The commission said the announcement by the REC was a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer.
“It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended,” the commission declared.
The statement reads in full:
“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.
“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.
“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.”
