The Resident Electoral Officer, REC, in Adamawa state, Prof Hudu Yudus Ari, who is not the Returning Office, RO, officer as legally required, has controversially declared Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as governor-elect while collation of the supplementary election results from 10 out of 20 Local Governments Area are still being collated, while the exercise was adjourned till 11: am on Sunday.
Results from 10 LGA so far declared show that Governor Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has won seven while Binadi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has won three.
Taken aback by the development, the Commission declared in a tweet on Sunday that Prof Ari usurped the position of the RO in making the announcement and thereby declared the result null and void.
According to Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education,” 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.”
He said, REC “Ari and all those involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s headquarter in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly.”
