The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies to provide adequate security for its two national commissioners and officers deployed to Adamawa for the state supplementary governorship election.

The commission made the call in a statement issued by its spokesman Festus Okoye in Abuja on Sunday.

The call came amid raging controversy over the illegal declaration of a winner in the state’s governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Yunusa-Ari while results collation were yet to be concluded.

This forced this commission to overrule Mr Ari’s declaration and the suspension of result collation in the state.

Mr Okoye, who said that the commission was disturbed by the harassment of its officers in the state, warned that nothing should happen to its officers in the state.

“The Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

“We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

“The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance.”

Mr Okoye said that INEC would not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at its officials or the process of the election in the state.

Earlier, Mr Okoye said that the action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect.

“Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday April 15 is suspended forthwith.

“The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja.”

NAN