The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has nullified the declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State.
The electoral body also summoned the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa over the controversial declaration.
INEC made the declaration via its Twitter handle on Sunday, “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.”
Prof Hudu Yunus Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa had declared Binani as winner even as the collation was still going on.
The declaration has generated controversy in the state’s governorship election.
His announcement has elicited protests from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Before the collation of exercise was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced — and Binani was trailing Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and PDP candidate.
Fintiri was leading before the pronouncement was made.
