In response to the controversies surrounding the special elections held in Adamawa State on Saturday, April 15, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a formal statement.
After Hudu Yunusa Ari, the resident electoral commissioner for Adamawa, named Aishatu Binani, the APC candidate, as the state’s victor in the governorship election for 2023, there was an outcry on Sunday (today).
When INEC commenced compiling the results of the supplementary election, Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor of Adamawa State, was already ahead of Binani in the polls and received more votes overall.
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Keep in mind that Governor Fintiri is running for re-election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner.
The REC’s declaration raised eyebrows, and INEC distanced itself from his assertions.
The electoral commission also denounced the harassment of its officials while they carried out their official duties in the state in a statement released on Sunday, seconds after the contentious pronouncement.
Instructing security personnel to protect the officials, INEC warned that it would not tolerate any lawlessness committed against them.
According to news sources, INEC has invited all participants in the polling process in Adamawa to its Abuja headquarters to answer questions over the dramatic incident.
The full statement reads: “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.
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“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 the 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.
“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 security agencies to provide them with the necessary security and ensure nothing 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.
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“The commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process.”
See the statement below, which Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, has signed.
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