ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Hudu Yunus Ari, has been arrested by the police.
Sundiata Post checks revealed that he was traced to City Green Hotel, Yola, this Sunday morning (16 April 2023) after he declared Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as winner of the Adamawa governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election held in 21 local government areas of the state on Saturday.
The INEC announcement made via the Commission’s Twitter handle @inecnigeria on Sunday by Festus Okoye, the director of voter education, followed the action of the REC, which Okoye described as a usurpation of the duty of the returning officer.
The commission declared the announcement by Ari pronouncing Binani as winner null and void.
Prof Hudu Yunus Ari declared Binani winner midway into the collation.
Results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11am.
However, Ari announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.
Some PDP supporters in the hall had protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.
A leading member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, told Sundiata Post on condition of anonymity that the REC alleged that Binani gave him N2billon to declare her winner.
Okoye’s announcement summoned the REC, returning officer and those involved to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja immediately.
Breaking News:
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 16, 2023
The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.
2. The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect.
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 16, 2023
Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.
3. The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja immediately.
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 16, 2023
Detailed statement to follow shortly.
Barr. Festus Okoye
National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education
