INEC suspends Adamawa REC indefinitely
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, to stay away from the commission office in the state.
In a letter dated April 17th and titled “Commission’s Directive to Stay Away From INEC, Adamawa State,” the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriran-Anthony, conveyed the commission’s decision to Ari.
The letter reads: “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 regards.”
This development comes after Ari created a scene on Sunday by declaring the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, as the winner. However, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, described the action of the REC as a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer.
The commission suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election in the state and maintained that the declaration of Binani as the winner of the election was null, void and of no effect.
