The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) has announced the suspension of the Adamawa State governorship election.
The INEC’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, announced this in a statement issued on Sunday, April 16, the Daily Trust reports.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, had declared Senator Aisha Dahiru aka Binani as winner of the election under controversial circumstances.
However, INEC’s Spokesman, Okoye overruled Dahiru and ordered the suspension of the collation of the election.
“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 power by the Returning Officer. It is null and 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,” Okoye said in a statement.
It was gathered that Ari allegedly declared Binani as winner midway into the election.
Results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared before the exercise was adjourned until 11.a.m on Sunday.
However, Ari was said to have made a pronouncement an hour before the scheduled time.
Governor Ahamadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was said to be leading before the pronouncement was made.
Daily Trust reports that some PDP supporters in the hall had protested the reason why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the Returning Officer.
It would be recalled that supplementary elections were held in parts of Nigeria on Saturday, April 15, 50 days after the presidential and National Assembly elections held Saturday, February 25, 2023.