The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied declaring Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner  of the Adamawa governorship election.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, who signed the statement on Sunday, noted that the declaration by the REC was null and void as the action of the REC was “usurpation of the power of the returning officer.”

The commission has also invited Yunusa-Ari to Abuja over his action where he is expected to be quizzed over his conduct.

The statement read, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission has been drawn to the purported declaration of a winner in the Adamawa State Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, 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 the 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 hindrance.

“The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process.”

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba speaking on the action of the REC said, “It is even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State.”

He also called on INEC to declare Fintiri the winner of the election “because the results so far showed that he won clean and clear.”

INEC Declares Idris Winner Of Kebbi Governorship Election

Nasiru Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the Kebbi State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Returning Officer for Kebbi State declared Idris as the winner on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s capital.

Maj-Gen. Aminu Bande (rtd.), a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost to the APC candidate.

Bande Aminu, who received 360,940 votes, was Nasiru’s closest rival. Nasiru received 409,225 votes to defeat him.

Ada Peter