Etim Ekpimah
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has voided the declaration of Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the winner of the Adamawa State Governorship election.
The commission in a statement on Sunday described the purported declaration of Binani as the winner by the Resident Electoral Commissioner as an act of usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer.
The statement which was issued and made available to newsmen by Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education read, thus: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of a 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.”
He assured that a detailed statement would be made available soon.