…REC Declares Binani Winner …Binani Gives Acceptance Speech …Governor Fintiri Rejects Declaration The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again suspended the Adamawa state governorship electioneering process, declaring the pronouncement of the state REC “null, void, and of no effect” due to the contravention of the electoral laws. The state was thrown into a state
…REC Declares Binani Winner
…Binani Gives Acceptance Speech
…Governor Fintiri Rejects Declaration
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again suspended the Adamawa state governorship electioneering process, declaring the pronouncement of the state REC “null, void, and of no effect” due to the contravention of the electoral laws.
The state was thrown into a state of confusion and near anarchy in the early hours of Sunday, when the Resident Electoral Commission, Yunusa Hudu Ari, declared the governorship candidate of the APC Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, also known as Binani winner of the Adamawa governorship election, without giving a breakdown of the results.
This is contrary to the Sections 64 & 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the established standard practice where the State Returning Officer is expected to announce the results and declare a winner.
The Independent National Electoral Commission intervened in the state of confusion by suspending the collation of results and summoning everyone involved in the process including the REC to Abuja.
In a statement by the National Commissioner, for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, INEC stated that “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”.
According to multiple reports, the Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele had suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election till 11 am on Sunday. But while the break was still on, the REC, sneaked into the collation center around 9 am to declare the APC candidate the winner of the poll while the commission was yet to receive official results from some local governments out of the 69 polling units where the election was conducted.
The REC who made the declaration in the company of the state commissioner of police, while some election observers and party agents were not on the ground, was confronted by some angry people, who attempted to grab his cloth at the collation center.
Though INEC had nullified the declaration made by the Adamawa state REC, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani also made an acceptance speech, where she described her pronouncement as the governor-elect of the state as the fulfillment of the ‘tenet of democracy’.
In her speech, she also said that her emergence will further broaden political participation in the country. “By the will of the people and the will of the Almighty, I happened to emerge as the winner. I will Insha Allah serve as the Governor of all the people of Adamawa state irrespective of any faith, ethnic or political affiliation. Our administration shall be free and fair. You have made history by electing the first female governor in our country, Nigeria. This will no doubt broaden political participation by encouraging our daughters, sisters, aunties, mothers, and indeed the girl child”
However, the incumbent and the PDP governorship candidate, Umaru Ahmed Fintiri has rejected the illegal declaration by the state REC, noting that such action is a taunt to democracy. He, however, commended the electoral commission for distancing itself from the declaration. He also urged INEC to do the right thing by declaring the winner as stated by the law.
“This action is no doubt provocative but in this situation I appeal for as always I assure you as a leader, I will ensure nobody taunts you on your democratic rights. The Independent National Electoral Commission has demonstrated its umpire status by distancing itself from the act of wreck and assure that the right thing will be done. The right thing in this context is the conclusion of collation and declaration of a winner by the Returning Officer in person of Professor Mele.”
In the same vein, Civil Society Organisations have voiced their criticism for the usurpation of role by the Adamawa REC to declare Binani as the governor-elect in the state.
For instance, Yiaga Africa in their comments urged the electoral commission to take a disciplinary action on the electoral commissioner to protect the integrity of poll.
“We’ve received reports of an illegal declaration of results by the INEC REC for Adamawa in violation of S64 & 65 Electoral Act 2022 & Part 3, INEC guidelines which vests the power to declare results solely on a Returning officer appointed by INEC. We call on INEC to nullify the illegal declaration, suspend the REC for Adamawa state and take urgent actions to protect the integrity of the process”
Also, the Centre for Democracy Development condemned the contravention of the electoral acts exhibited by the Adamawa state REC. The think tank organisation further called on the electoral commission to sanction the erring officials involved in the unlawful action.
“The laws and procedures guiding Nigeria’s elections are such that only the returning officer can make such a declaration, which makes this recent announcement null and void.
“We call on INEC to immediately exercise its powers by continuing the collation process that was scheduled to resume today, sanction all erring officials who carried out this illegal announcement and ensure that results are publicly available to all citizens.
“It is important that laid down processes are adhered to avoid a breakdown of law and order in a heightened political environment”.
