The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of the results of the supplementary election in Adamawa State.
This followed the confusion brought by the Sunday, April 16 announcement of Aisha Dahiru, popularly called Binani, as the winner of the election by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, instead of the Returning Officer, Mele Lamido, and without results from 11 of the 21 local government areas in the state.
It was learnt that the process had yet to be completed when the REC made the announcement.
A tweet by the INEC on Sunday read: “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.”