BREAKING: Drama as INEC voids declaration of Binani as gov-elect; REC, RO summoned to Abuja

Drama is currently emanating from Adamawa State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has voided the declaration of Senator Aishatu Dahiru as governor-elect.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari had declared Senator Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election.

However, in the turn of events, headquarters of the electoral umpire immediately in a statement by Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, voided the declaration.

INEC stated via Twitter: “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”.

Binani was declared the winner of the Adamawa governorship election in controversial circumstances as she was declared winner mid-way into the collation of results.

Earlier, results of the Saturdays election, from 10 out of the 20 local government areas, had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.

However, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.

Some PDP supporters in the hall protested the announcement of Binani as the winner by the INEC REC.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner had made the announcement against the Returning Officer.