The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denounced the purported declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Barrister Hudu Yunusa.

INEC also suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election.

The electoral body said the action of the REC amounts to usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer, insisting it is null, void and of no effect.

It said that the process had not been concluded before the declaration.

The commission announced this on Sunday via a statement on its verified Twitter handle, following the supplementary election held Saturday.

The announcement issued by Barr Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, directed the REC to report to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja with immediate effect.

The statement read: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect.

“Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.

Detailed statement to follow shortly.”