INEC speaks on suspended Adamawa REC’s fate

By Marvellous Gbadegesin On Jun 29, 2023

Arraignment, Adamawa, Court , suspended REC, INEC, Hudu Yunusa-Ari — Hudu Yunusa-Ari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will soon take action on the case of suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, who made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said the police have concluded investigations on the matter.

Okoye also said the electoral umpire has enough proof to establish a case against Yunusa-Ari.

“I am aware that the police have concluded investigations and I am aware that in the next few weeks, Nigerians will be informed of what will happen,” he said.

“Under the law, it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission to prosecute him (Ari) if a prima facie case has made out against him.”

Yunusa-Ari had courted controversy after the supplementary election in Adamawa on April 15, 2023, when he announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the dramatic poll while the collation of results was ongoing.

The situation prompted INEC to nullify Yunusa-Ari’s decision and suspended him while then President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a full investigation on the electoral commissioner and the security personnel that were around him when he made the declaration.

INEC subsequently concluded the election and announced the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the drama-filled poll.

Yunusa-Ari’s whereabouts were unknown for over two weeks but he turned himself in to the police on May 2, 2023. The police later granted him bail on May 5, 2023 while Nigerians continue to ask with curiosity what becomes of the case.

When asked on Thursday whether INEC has enough evidence to establish a case against Yunusa-Ari, Okoye said said, “Yes.”

The INEC spokesman said the police and the electoral commission were in talks during the probe of the embattled INEC official and a decision will be made “very soon”.

“There has been some level of interface between the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission and the commission was involved in some of the processes leading to the investigation. Very soon, the commission will take action relating to the Adamawa REC,” he said.