***Says, REC commandeered powers of Returning Officer
After the confusion caused by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Hudu Ari when he announced Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmad Binani as Governor-elect of Adamawa State, the national headquarters of the electoral umpire has invalidade the declaration, insisting that it remains null and void.
Being a fallout of the announcement by the REC in Adamawa declaring Senator Binani as winner of the Governorship re-run election ahead of the conclusion of collation of results, the commission indicated that the process was totally at variance with laid down procedures and processes.
A statement by INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye indicated that the process had clearly not been concluded.
The Commission noted that the action of the REC, Mr. Hudu Ari was a seizure of the power of the Returning Officer, stressing that it was therefore null, void and of no effect.
Therefore, INEC drastically resolved that the collation of results of the supplementary election be suspended.
Accordingly, INEC headquarters directed the REC, Returning Officer and all involved to report to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately