The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of the Adamawa State governorship election.
The commission announced this in a statement issued on Sunday.
Hudu Yunus Ari, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), had declared Senator Aisha Dahiru, aka Binani, as winner of the election under controversial circumstances.
But Barr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, overruled him and ordered suspension of the collation.
“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.”
Professor Hudu Yunus Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa, had declared Binani as winner midway into the collation.
Results from 10 out of the 20 Local Government Areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11am.
However, Ari made pronouncement an hour before the scheduled time.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.
Some PDP supporters in the hall had protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.