The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reversed the illegal declaration of Aisha Binani winner of the Adamawa State governorship election by the resident electoral commissioner.
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 usurped the power and declared Binani as winner midway into the collation.
But INEC, in a statement by its spokesman Festus Okoye, said the declaration was null and void.
“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 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,” the statement added.
