The statement said President Buhari also “directed investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them.”
By Emma Ogbuehi
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, approved the immediate suspension from office of Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari, the embattled Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector General of Police on his conduct and actions during last Saturday’s supplementary election in Adamawa State.
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A statement by Mr. Willie Bassey, Director of Information in the office of the SGF on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the President has directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the Inspector General of Police.
The statement said President Buhari also “directed investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had earlier directed Yunusa Ari to stay away from all activities of the electoral umpire and the election in Adamawa State.
Mr. Yunusa Ari who was the REC in Adamawa State, stirred controversy on Sunday morning when he announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship poll, a move that was not within his constitutionally given authority.
Besides the announcement being a usurpation of the Returning Officer’s office, Barr Ari doubly-erred in that he announced the results of an election whose collation process had not been concluded, and this caused tension within the state, and stirred great debate across the nation, with observers calling what transpired in Adamawa State, a shame.
A statement signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, read: “I hereby convey the commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State, should stay away from the Commission’s office in Adamawa immediately until further notice. The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa with immediate effect”.