YOLA – There is tight security at the state collation centre in Yola, the Adamawa State capital as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reconvene to continue the collation of the April 15 supplementary election.
Sundiata Post recalls that collation of results was suspended on Sunday following the usurpation of the duty of the Returning Officer by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari, who illegally announced the APC candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani as winner of the governorship election while collation was yet to be completed.
Sundiata Post reports that INEC administrative secretary in the state, Adamu Gujungu, who has been mandated by to take the place of the erring Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari was seen at the collation centre.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye is expected at the collation centre.
Sundiata Post recalls that following Ari’s declaration of Binani as winner over the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) INEC had immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared his announcement an invalid declaration and an usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.
The electoral umpire also on Tuesday (today) said it would write the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba to probe and prosecute Ari.
Before the collation exercise was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced — and Binani was trailing Fintiri.
The collation of results from the remaining 10 LGAs was expected to commence by 11am on Sunday, and 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 the Electoral Act, Lamido is the rightful official empowered to declare the winner of the election.
