WHY INEC SUSPENDED COLLATION OF ADAMAWA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS
Oru Leonard
Purported victory of Adamawa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Nigeria, Senator Aisha Dahiru (Binani), as declared by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), has been cancelled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A statement signed by the National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye today said the REC usurped the power of the state Returning Office who was supposed to declare the winner, thereby rendering declaration null a d void.
“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.” Okoye said.
He disclosed that the REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
INEC expressed worry on the harassment of two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election, urged 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 hindrance.
The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process” INEC warned.
Read full text below:
SUSPENSION OF COLLATION IN THE ADAMAWA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to the purported declaration of 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.
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 hindrance.
The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process.
Barr. Fesus Okoye
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee
Sunday 16th April 2023
