Adamawa supplementary guber: INEC frowns at molestation of national officers, suspends result collation

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the harassment of two of its National Commissioners deployed to ensure a peaceful and credible Adamawa state governorship supplementary election.

The commission also discribed as null and void, the purported announcement of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru Binani, winner of the poll, suspending further action on the election.

National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, had in a separate statement, he issued in Abuja to announced the decisions of the commission also ordered the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Returning Officer and other stakeholders to proceed to the headquarters of the commission immediately.

The commission equally wondered how the REC could usurp the responsibility of the Returning Officer by announcing Binani winner of the governorship election even when the process has not been logically concluded.

Titled suspension of collation in the Adamawa governorship election, the commission specifically pleaded with the security agencies to ensure that nothing untoward befell the National Commissioners, warning that it will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targetted at its officials or the process.

“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 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 hinderance. The commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targetted at our officials or the process,” INEC warned in the statement.

On the decision to suspend the governorship election, the commission noted: “The attention of INEC has been drawn to the purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa State governorship election by the REC, 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 on 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,” INEC directed through the statement.