The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State Hudi Yunusa Ari has been indefinitely from office.
Ari had on Sunday usurped the power of the Returning Officer for the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election by announcing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru popularly known as Binani as the winner of the governorship election in the State while collation of results was still ongoing.
The electoral umpire in a two-paragraph letter dated Monday, April 17, 2023, issued by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the REC to stay away from the Commission’s office in Yola till further notice while the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in the State was asked to take charge of the affairs of the office with immediate effect.
“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 in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect. Please, accept the assurances of the Commission’s warm,” said the Commission in the letter.