*Directs Admin Secretary to take charge
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has instructed it’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari to stay away from the Commission’s office in the State immediately until further notice.
The Prof Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has, consequently, directed the Administrative Secretary to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect.
The directives were contained in a letter yesterday, signed by the Secretary to INEC, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony dated 17th April, 2023.
The Adamawa State REC, it will be recalled, had on Sunday, without regards to due process, declared the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State, Senator Aisha Binani as the Governor-elect, despite the fact that the collation of results was on going.
Miffed by the unilateral action of Barrister Ari, the Commission halted the collation of the results of the supplementary election and ordered the REC and all those involved to report to Abuja-immediately.
The action of the REC, the INEC pointed out, was a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore it was null, void and of no effect. According to the Commission, “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”, INEC said.
Yesterday’s letter to Barr Ari by the INEC Secretary, entitled, ‘Commission’s Directive To Stay Away From INEC, Adamawa State, reads, “I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect.
“Please, accept the assurances of the Commission’s warm regards”, the letter concluded.
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