INEC voids declaration of Binani as Adamawa governor-elect, suspends collation of results

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has voided the declaration of Aisha Dahiru-Binani, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as winner of the Adamawa State governorship re-run election.

Hudu Ari, the INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC) for Adamawa State made the declaration on Sunday.

But the INEC National Headquarters in swift reaction described the REC’s action as “usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect.”

Fesus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement, said the collation which is ongoing has been suspended and directed to REC and other officials involved in the action to proceed to the National Headquarters.

The statement read: “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to the purported declaration of a winner in the Adamawa State Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday 15th April 2023 is suspended forthwith.

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“The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja.

“Meanwhile, the Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

“We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them. The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hinderance.

“The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targetted at our officials or the process.”