The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to request the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to investigate and possibly prosecute the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.
This decision was made by INEC’s National Commissioners during a meeting held at the commission’s national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to discuss matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election.
INEC also plans to request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to take further action concerning the behavior of the REC.
In a tweet on its official handle, INEC stated, “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 behavior of the REC for further action.
“The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.”
BREAKING NEWS
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 18, 2023
At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:
1. Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the
This decision comes after the electoral body directed Ari to stay away from all activities of the electoral umpire and the election in the state on Monday. The INEC REC had announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s supplementary election over the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday morning, which stirred controversy.
INEC declared the announcement an invalid declaration and a 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 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.
According to the constitution, Lamido is the rightful official empowered to declare the winner of the election.