•says ‘only returning officer’ can declare winner
By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “sanction all erring officials who carried out the illegal” declaration of Aisha Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship poll.
Yunusa Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of INEC in Adamawa, declared Binani as the winner around 9am on Sunday, sparking controversy.
The collation of results in the state had been suspended on Saturday night after results from 10 LGAs were announced.
Based on the announced figures, Binani was trailing Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
The collation of the remaining 10 LGAs’ results was expected to commence by 11am on Sunday.
Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.
According to sections 64 and 65 of the Electoral Act, only Lamido is empowered to declare the winner of the election.
The electoral commission had promptly reacted by suspending the collation of results and declaring the announcement of the REC as null and void.
Commenting on the situation, the CDD said: “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. CDD will release a statement on the conduct of the elections later today.”
Fintiri, the Adamawa governor, has described the development as the handiwork of the “enemies” of democracy.
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