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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to write the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, to probe and prosecute its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The electoral umpire reached the resolution at a meeting with its National Commissioners in Abuja over Adamawa supplementary governorship election, on Tuesday.
In a series of tweets on its Twitter handle, INEC said: “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 decision is coming barely 24 hours after INEC directed Ari to stay away from all its activities and the election in state until further notice.
The REC had on Sunday stirred controversy when he announced Aisha Dahiru Ahmed “Binani” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the governorship election in the state following Saturday’s supplementary election.
INEC had immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared Binani’s announcement an invalid declaration and usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.
Before the collation exercise was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 Local governments had been announced, with Binani trailing Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The collation of results from the remaining 10 local governments were expected to commence by 11am on Sunday, and Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner.
According to the Electoral Act 2022 (Amended), Lamido is the only official empowered to declare the winner of the election.