INEC also resolved to write the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, with a view to acquainting President Muhammadu Buhari with the “unwholesome” activities of the Adamawa REC.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to write the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali, to investigate its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa state, Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, for possible prosecution.
INEC also resolved to write the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, with a view to acquainting President Muhammadu Buhari with the “unwholesome” activities of the REC and possibly reviewing his appointment.
The decisions were a fallout of the Commission’s meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
It added that the collation process in Adamawa shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.
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“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,” the commission stated.
The decision of the electoral body is coming barely 24 hours after it directed Ari to stay away from all activities of the electoral umpire and the election in Adamawa State.
The Adamawa REC had on Sunday stirred controversy when at about 9am he announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of Saturday’s supplementary election over the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
INEC had immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared his announcement invalid and an usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.
Before the collation exercise was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced — and Binani was trailing Fintiri.
The collation of results from the remaining 10 LGAs was expected to commence at 11am on Sunday, and Prof Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.
According to the constitution, Lamido is the rightful official empowered to declare the winner of the election.
