Richard Anyebe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the declaration of the Adamawa Governorship Election in which Aishatu Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner, is null, void, and of no effect.
Some few moments ago, reports of Binani being declared winner of the supplementary polls broke on social media.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa made the announcement on Sunday following the supplementary election held Saturday.
It was reported that Binani defeated the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to become the first elected female governor in Nigeria’s history.
Reports say results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.
However, Yunusa announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was leading before the pronouncement was made.
Some PDP supporters in the hall protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.
Reacting to the announcement by Yunusa, INEC in a strongly-worded terse statement issued by its National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye some minutes ago, said the attention of the commission was drawn to the declaration by the REC even though the process has not been concluded.
According to the electoral umpire, 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 INEC statement reads.
“The REC, Returning Officer, and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly.”
Breaking News:
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.— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 16, 2023
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that reactions by Nigerians on the microblogging site, Twitter have continued to pour in following a passport showing that Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu has dual citizenship.
The passport was published on Saturday night by one of Nigeria’s finest Investigative journalists, David Hundeyin.
