The Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has nullified the result of the Adamawa state Governorship election announced by its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
Further, the INEC Headquarters has summoned the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner and others involved in the shoddy announcement of the result in a manner which contravened the Electoral Acts and INEC rules and regulations, for questioning.
According to a statement by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye,
“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday 15th April 2023 is suspended forthwith.”
The full text of the statement nullifying the Guber result as announced by Hudu Yunusa-Ari, which declared the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship Candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani as the winner of the governorship election, reads:
SUSPENSION OF COLLATION IN THE ADAMAWA GOVERNORSHIP
ELECTION
The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to the purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa State Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday 15th April 2023 is suspended forthwith.
The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja,
Meanwhile, the Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election. We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them. The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hinderance.
The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targetted at our officials or the process.
Barr. Festus Okoye
National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Sunday 16th April 2023
