The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has voided Sunday morning’s declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State.
The electoral body also summoned the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa over the controversial declaration. The commission made the declaration on its Twitter handle few hours after Yunusa shocked all by declaring Binani winner of the poll.
Newsmen had reported that Yunusa had declared Binani winner even while the computation of the final results from the supplementary election was ongoing.
The statement from the commission issued by INEC commissioner for publicity Barrister Festus Okoye read thus:
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, a section of the APC had been celeberating the earlier declaration of Binani winner of the Adamawa poll by INEC.
