A Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Ishaku Abbo, has hinged on the Electoral Act as amended in 2022 which he said prevents the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the collation of results in Adamawa state null and void.
The national headquarters of INEC had nullified the result announced by the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa, that declared Aishatu Dahiru Binani of the All Progrissives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.
But reacting to the development in an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily Monday, Senator Abbo said INEC lacks the power to nullify an election that has been announced.
“They cannot suspend collation. INEC cannot nullify an election that has been announced, they don’t have that power
“Elections have been announced, it is out of their hands. The result has been announced by the REC. Section 65 does not operate in isolation, there is section 149,” he said.
He referred to Section 149 of the Electoral Act of 2022 which states 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 there under remain valid, unless otherwise challenged and declared invalid by a competent court of law or tribunal.