INEC rejects declaration of Binani as winner of Adamawa governorship election

The electoral commission, INEC, has declared as “null, void and of no effect”, the declaration of Aisha Dahiru as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa.

INEC stated this in a statement posted on its official Twitter handle.

“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 Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Hudu Ari, Sunday morning, controversially declared Mrs Dahiru, popularly called Binani, the winner of the election.

The INEC headquarters rejected the declaration and also announced the suspension of the collation of results.

“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 commission also summoned Mr Ari and the returning officer to its headquarters in Abuja.

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

Detailed statement to follow shortly,” according to the statement signed by INEC spokesperson Festus Okoye.

Binani of the APC and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP are the two main contestants in the election with Mr Fintiri leading before Saturday’s rerun election in 69 polling units.