The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has on Tuesday reconvened and resumed the collation of results for Saturday’s supplementary governorship election amidst tight security in Yola.
INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Adamu Gujungu, who has been mandated to take the place of the erring Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari, was seen at the collation center.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, is at the collation center.
Also, the state Returning Officer, Mohammed Mele, is present.
Recall that INEC on Sunday had suspended the exercise after a crisis ensued following the action of the now-suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, who illegally announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Ahmed Binani, as the winner of the election when the collation of results was yet to be concluded.
INEC had immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared his announcement an invalid declaration and a usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.
The electoral umpire also said it will 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 11 am 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 constitution, Lamido is the rightful official empowered to declare the winner of the election.
