UPDATED: INEC Headquarters Reacts to Declaration of Binani Gov-Elect, Suspends Process

UPDATED: INEC Headquarters Reacts to Declaration of Binani Gov-Elect, Suspends Process

INEC Headquarters Reacts to Declaration of Binani Gov-ElectBreaking 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.

2. 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.

3. The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.
Detailed statement to follow shortly.

Barr. Festus Okoye
National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education

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PREVIOUS STORY: INEC Declares APC Binani Winner of Adamawa Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Sunday morning declared Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani the winner of the Adamawa governorship election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari made the declaration midway into the collation following the supplementary election held Saturday.

Before the collation of exercise was suspended on Saturday night and adjourned till 11 am on Sunday, results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been announced — and Binani was trailing Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and PDP candidate.

His announcement elicited outcry from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the hall who protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.

Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.

More deatils later

By PRNigeria