The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invalidated the declaration of Aisha Dahiru, also known as Binani, as the governor-elect of Adamawa State under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was declared null and void, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa, was summoned by the electoral body over the controversial declaration.

Yunusa had announced Binani as the winner of the election at the collation center in the morning, which was then protested by members of other political parties who accused him of fraud. INEC has now clarified that the election process in the state is not yet concluded, and therefore Binani’s declaration as the governor-elect is invalid.

According to INEC’s Twitter handle, the REC’s action in declaring Binani as the winner of the election is a violation of the Returning Officer’s power. As a result, the collation of results from the supplementary election has been suspended.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has become aware of the Resident Electoral Commissioner’s (REC) supposed announcement of a winner in the Adamawa Governorship election, despite the fact that the process has not been completed. The REC’s action is an infringement on the Returning Officer’s authority and is therefore invalid. As a result, the collation of the supplementary election results has been suspended.”

Watch a video of Yunusa making the declaration below…