Summary:
- INEC suspends collation of Adamawa State supplementary governorship election results due to the alleged “usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer” by the REC.
- Controversy sparked by a video showing the REC announcing the winner instead of the authorized Returning Officer, raising concerns about the election’s legitimacy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to suspend the collation of results for the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election as controversy continues to overshadow the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Sunday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, expressed concern over the “usurpation of the power of the returning officer” by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
According to the statement, the Commission had been alerted to a purported declaration of a winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the REC, even though the process had not been officially completed.
Barrister Okoye emphasized that the REC’s actions were “null, void, and of no effect” and announced the suspension of the collation of the supplementary election results.
The statement further requested the REC, the returning officer, and all involved parties to report to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja immediately, with a more detailed statement expected to follow shortly.
This latest development adds to the growing controversy surrounding the Adamawa State governorship election and raises new questions about the legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process.
The decision to suspend the collation comes after a video surfaced online that showed the REC, instead of the returning officer, entering the hall with the Commissioner of Police and announcing the APC candidate, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, as the winner.
This action contravened Sections 64 and 65 of the Electoral Act of 2022 and Part 3 of INEC’s rules, which grant sole authority to proclaim results to a returning officer authorized by INEC.
As the drama unfolds, the people of Adamawa State and the entire nation eagerly await further clarification from INEC regarding the election’s outcome and any potential consequences for those involved in the alleged misconduct.
The ongoing controversy has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the matter and demanding accountability from electoral officials.
The suspension of the collation process in the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election marks yet another challenge for INEC, which has faced numerous accusations of mismanagement and a lack of transparency in recent years.
The situation in Adamawa serves as a reminder of the urgent need for electoral reform and the establishment of a more accountable and transparent electoral system in Nigeria.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on INEC’s response to the controversy and how the commission intends to address the various concerns raised by stakeholders, the media, and the public at large.
As the story continues to develop, it is crucial for INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the people of Adamawa State have their voices heard through a fair and just election.
