BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday suspended the collation of the Adamawa State supplementary governorship poll.
With results declared for 10 of 20 local government areas (LGAs) in the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has taken an early lead.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman information and Voter Education Committee and posted on the Commission’s official twitter handle that “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to the purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa State Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (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 yesterday 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.
“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 the security agencies to provide them with necessary
security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.
“The two NationalCommissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hinderance.
The statement added that the Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targetted at our officials or the process.
Meanwhile, Adamawa State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Fintiri, yesterday maintained his lead in the supplementary polls held in the state, ahead of his main rival, Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
