By Ayo Kehinde
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has declared in a tweet on Sunday that the Resident Electoral Officer, REC, in Adamawa state, Prof Hudu Yudus Ari, usurped the position of the Returning Officer, RO, in announcing Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani as governor-elect while collation of results from 10 local governments area of the state were still being awaited.
According to Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education,” 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.”
He said, REC “Ari and all those involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s headquarter in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly.”
Prof Hudu Yudus Ari, who is not the Returning Office, RO, officer as legally required, had controversially declared Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as governor-elect while collation of the supplementary election results from 10 out of 20 Local Governments Area were still being collated. The exercise was adjourned till 11: am on Sunday.
Results from 10 LGA so far declared show that Governor Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has won seven while Binadi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has won three.
