There was mild drama and confusion on Sunday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters reversed the declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, aka Binani, as winner of Adamawa State governorship election.
The commission also suspended the collation of the supplementary election held on Saturday in the state.
INEC announced this in a statement issued on Sunday.
The decision comes after Hudu Ari, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), declared Binani, as winner of the election under controversial circumstances.
But Festus Okoye, INEC spokesman, in the statement overruled him (the REC) and ordered suspension of the collation.
“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 statement read.
“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. Detailed statement to follow shortly.”
