The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of results in the Adamawa governorship election rerun.
In a statement on Sunday, Festus Okoye said the purported declaration of the winner by the Commission’s resident electoral commissioner (REC) in the state was “null, void and of no effect”.
“National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, 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.
“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. Detailed statement to follow shortly”, he said.
Violation of the electoral act 2022
Declaration of results by the INEC’s REC in Adamawa clearly violates Sections 64 and 65 Electoral Act 2022 and Part 3 of INEC guidelines which confers the power to declare results solely on a Returning officer appointed by the Commission.
