FACT CHECK: INEC Has Not Declared Binani First Female Governor In Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted the claim that Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani has been declared the victor of the Adamawa Governorship election.

Breaking News:
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.

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 16, 2023

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Earlier, major news media platforms in the country announced that Binani has emerged as the first female governor in Nigeria.

It was claimed that the announcement was made by Prof Hudu Yunus Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa, midway through the collation process, an hour before the scheduled time.

Before the announcement, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been leading the race.

However, some PDP supporters in the hall protested the announcement, questioning why the REC, instead of the returning officer, was making the pronouncement.

The election involved a supplementary process in 2,660 polling units and 185 local councils across 24 states in Nigeria.

Two governorship seats and 94 legislative seats were up for grabs in the re-run elections held in the affected areas.