Adamawa Gov Election Remains Inconclusive –  INEC National HQ; Binani’s  Declaration By REC Voided

By Ayodele Oni and Akinwale Kasali

The declaration of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the Governor-elect, after the Supplementary Election, has been voided.

There was, apparently, a mix- up Sunday morning when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared  Binani the winner.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the State, Barrister Hudu Yunusa, made the declaration following the supplementary election conducted on Saturday. By the declaration, Yunusa usurped the job of the Chief Returning Officer, whose job it is to declare the winner.

The social media is awash with the declaration, which is the sole responsibility of the Chief Returning Officer for the election.

The National headquarters of INEC in Abuja has reacted to the mix-up in the outcome of the Governorship election in Adamawa state.

INEC’s Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, stated in a statement issued on Sunday, that the action of the Resident Electoral Commissioner amounts to usurpation of duties.

The statement reads: “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 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.

“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.”