The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as winner of the Adamawa Governorship election despite the fact that the collation was not completed.
Results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11am.
But around 10am, the resident electoral commissioner, Hudu Ari, came alone without the returning officer to declare Mrs Dahiru winner of the election.
Although Section 64 and 65 Electoral Act 2022 as well as Part 3 INEC guidelines vest the power of declaration on returning officer, Mr Ari declared Binani as winner midway into the collation.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was leading in seven out 10 local governments before the declaration was made.
Some PDP supporters in the hall had protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.
