By Moses Okorie
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, rejected the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha Binani Dahiru, as the duly elected governor of Adamawa State in the Saturday supplementary election held in the state.
According to the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC said that the announcement made by Yunusa Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, declaring Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru winner of the governorship election, is ‘null and void’.
In a brief thread of tweets on Sunday, the electoral umpire said the election process was clearly not concluded before the announcement was made.
Mr Okoye added that the action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. “It is null, void and of no effect”.
He consequently stressed that following this action, the collation of results of the supplementary election has now been suspended.
Speaking on the development, the PDP candidate and incumbent governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, has praised INEC for declaring the action of Adamawa REC null and void, and called on the people of the state to remain law-abiding.
He said the REC is not normal, because he declared a winner without any result.
