By Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended the collation of Adamawa State governorship election results.
The commission, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Fesus Okoye, also ordered the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Nuhu Yunusa-Ansari, and officials involved in a sham declaration of results to immediately report to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
INEC alleged that it was brought to its attention that the resident electoral commissioner had purportedly declared the winner in the Adamawa State governorship election.
“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,” the statement said.
The commission further noted that it is deeply disturbed by the harassment of its 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 said.