Guber Poll: INEC To Ask IGP To Probe, Prosecute Adamawa REC, Hudu Yunusa Ari

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) on Tuesday, announced its resolve to write the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali to probe and prosecute its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari.

INEC took the decision when its National Commissioners met at the commission’s national headquarters in Abuja over the Adamawa supplementary governorship poll.

The electoral umpire disclosed this in a series of tweets on his official handle.

The tweets read, “At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:

“Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

“Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.

“The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.”

INEC’s decision comes less than 24 hours after it suspended Ari and directed him to stay away from all activities of the commission and election in the state.

Kanyi Daily recalls that the REC had on Sunday, caused controversy when he announced Aisha Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Saturday’s supplementary election over the incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Following the controversial announcement, INEC immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared his announcement null and void and an usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.

Reports say before the collation was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced with Fintiri leading and Binani trailing behind.

According to reports, the collation of results from the remaining 10 LGAs was expected to commence by 11 am on Sunday, and Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.

Lamido, according to the constitution, is the rightful official with the power to declare the winner for the poll.

In other news, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has dissolved his cabinet.

He, therefore, urged the various appointees to submit handover comprehensive notes before Wednesday, April 19, 2023.