The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari over his controversial pronouncement of Aisha Binani as winner of the state’s governorship election.
The governorship poll was declared inconclusive last month with the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri in the lead, and a supplementary election was conducted last Saturday.
However, with collation still ongoing on Sunday, Ari declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Binani winner, despite only Returning Officers having the responsibility of announcing results.
INEC in a letter dated April 17, 2023, ordered Ari to stay away from the commission’s office in Yola, the state capital.
The letter signed by the electoral umpire’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the Administrative Secretary in Adamawa to take charge.
“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 immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State, with immediate effect”, it further read.
