The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to the declaration of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Aishatu Binanai, as the winner of the Adamawa Governorship election.
The Commission faulted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for declaring the winner of the election when the process is yet to be concluded.
In the report which was made by Vanguard earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa, had declared Binani as the winner of the election following the supplementary election which took place in the state on Saturday, April 15th.
INEC says that the action of the REC is null and void and does not have any effect. The Commissioner also invited the REC to the INEC headquarters in Abuja and said that the collation exercise has been suspended.
In the statement it released via its verified Twitter handle, the Commission said – “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of a 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 the results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.”
In the statement which was signed by INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, the Commission added – “The REC, the Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.”
The Commission also added that more details on the issue will be given soon.