…INEC Condemns Act, Calls For Emergency Meeting
From left, PDP Candidate, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri; APC Candidate, Aisha Dahiru
By Udesinanna Stephen
Following the announcement of the All Progressive Congress, APC candidate Aisha Dahiru as the winner of the Adamawa state Gubernatorial poll by the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the State, Hudu Ari, confusion and chaos have followed suit.
Meanwhile, the Daily Trust reported that the REC, Mr. Ari had adjourned the collation to 11 a.m. before the time he made the declaration on Sunday morning amidst confusion at the collation center in Yola, the state capital, and there is a video of the declaration on the social media space.
Roundoffnews gathered that 10 out of 20 local governments had been announced with the PDP candidate, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, in the lead before the adjournment of the collation.
Also, the electoral law has that the declaration of a winner is to be made by the Returning Officer, RO, of the election. Often, academicians are appointed by INEC for that cause.
In line with the above, controversies have filled the media space that the INEC REC of the state has no right to announce the result except for returning officer. An observation team, Yiaga Africa, has this opinion.
In this regard, Yiaga Africa has called for the nullification of the result. “We call on @inecnigeria to nullify the illegal declaration, suspend the REC for Adamawa state and take urgent actions to protect the integrity of the process.”
Subsequently, INEC, in a press statement signed by the Chairman of INEC’s information and voter education committee, Barr. Festus Okoye has condemned the act by the Adamawa REC.
“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of a winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has 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, INEC has called for an emergency meeting on the Adamawa state election.
“The REC, Returning Officer, and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly,” he added.
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