Sen Aisha Binani, Adamawa State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s rerun election remains the state’s authentic governor-elect, and so only a court, not INEC, that can invalidate her victory.
Binani is only awaiting her swearing-in, irrespective of the swift reversal announced by INEC headquarters after the declaration of her victory by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Hudu Ari.
A public affairs analyst, Akin Ariyo, made this known in an analysis on Monday, quoting relevant sections of the constitution to back up his claims.
He said,”On Sunday morning, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Sen Aishatu Dahiru Binani the winner of the Adamawa governorship election.
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa made the declaration following the supplementary election held on Saturday.
“The REC in company with Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Barde, the Director, Department of State Services and Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, announced Binani as the winner.
“Although INEC HQ through its spokesperson paused the result and requested that all its officials to report to Abuja, the declaration remains intact unless declared void by the court.”
Ariyo argued that the authenticity of Binani’s status as Adamawa State Gov-elect is hinged on Section 149 of the Electoral Act of 2022.
He quoted Section 149 of the Electoral Act of 2022. as stating that:
“Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, any defect or error arising from any actions taken by an official of the Commission in relation to any notice, form, or document made or given or other things done by the official in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution or of this Act, or any rules made thereunder remain valid, unless otherwise challenged and declared invalid by a competent court of law or tribunal.”
Thus, he stressed, by this section of the electoral act and action of the REC, Binani is the substantive Governor-elect of Adamawa State, as only the court and not INEC head office that can decide on this so-called controversy.
He added that it was the reason for the widespread jubilation across Adamawa by Binani and her massive supporters.
Periscope International reports that soon after Ari’s announcement declaring her Gov-elect, Sen Binani addressed a press conference wherein she thanked her teeming supporters and the entire people of the state for her victory, while pledging to build on the legacies of past governors, including “outgoing Gov Ahmadu Fintiri.”
