INEC Can’t Nullify An Election That Has Been Announced – Senator Abbo

Senator Ishaku Abbo representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, has said that the Electoral Act 2022 forbids the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the collated results in the Adamawa State governorship election null and void.

Speaking on Channels Television breakfast show ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Monday, he said the electoral body’s proclamation was insignificant according to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

“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.

Section 149 of the Electoral Act of 2022 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 thereunder remain valid, unless otherwise challenged and declared invalid by a competent court of law or tribunal.’,” the lawmaker stated.

Senator Abbo also insisted that it was futile to challenge an already announced election result while accusing the ruling party in the state of electoral infractions.

“It has already been announced, you cannot review a result that they told us. They said the reason why they have not reviewed Fufore was that it was announced.

“Fufore elections were contentious, we prepared for a free and fair but PDP did not prepare for a free and fair election, they prepared to bypass the elections, they prepared to compromise some certain officials,” he stated.