- Recalls State REC To Abuja
- Bemoans Harassment Of Two National Commissioners
Ayuba Sanusi
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of the collation of results in the supplementary election conducted in the North-East state of Adamawa.
INEC’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye, in a statement, discountenanced a purported declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed as the winner of the election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, “even when the process has clearly not been concluded”.
Mr. Okoye further said 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 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”.
Meanwhile, the Commission says it is deeply disturbed by the harassment of two National Commissioners deployed to the Adamawa State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election. “We urge the security agencies to provide them with the 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 duties without let or hindrance”.
Mr. Okoye reiterated that the Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at its officials or the process,
Eighteen-Eleven Media