The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early Sunday afternoon annulled and voided the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Senator Aishatu Ahmed alias Binani, as winner of the Adamawa State Governorship Election.
It also announced the immediate suspension of the collation of results while summoning the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
A statement by INEC’s National Commissioner, Information &Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye, said: “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.
“Detailed statement to follow shortly.”
INEC’s statement came after REC Hudu Ari, who has been under fire due to controversies that trailed his conduct in the March 15 substantive poll, suddenly turned up at the collation centre on Sunday morning (around 9am) to announce APC’s Aishatu Ahmed (Binani) as winner.
The INEC Returning Officer for the election is Prof Mohammed Mele, who was in charge of the process of collation at the conclusion of the supplementary election on Saturday, along with two supervising INEC National Commissioners.
Results from supplementary elections from polling units in 10 local government areas were announced until the exercise was adjourned at around 1am on Sunday to resume again by 11am. The results saw incumbent Governor Ahmad Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintaining his lead over Binani.
However, by the time journalists arrived the state collation centre, they were informed that the REC had come in around 9am to announce a winner, amid protests by party agents who challenged the powers of the REC to usurp the position of the returning officer.
As at the time of filing this report, the returning officer Prof. Mohammed Mele and the two supervising National Commissioners were yet to arrive and could not be reached.
Security has been beefed up as tension is high already in the area.
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