20th April, 2023
Hudu Yunusa Ari, embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Adamawa State has been suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Buhari also directed the investigation and prosecution of Ari by the Inspector General of Police, if found liable.
Ari ran into trouble after he hijacked the role of returning officer to announce Aisha Ahmed Dahiru, popularly Known as Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election last Sunday while the collation of the results of the election had not been completed.
His suspension was announced in a statement by Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on Thursday.
According to the statement, Ari will remain suspended until the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on his conduct/actions during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.
However, INEC had rejected the announcement by Ari, describing as usurpation of the responsibility of the Returning Officer.
The electoral commission had also asked the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to investigate the role of their officers who were president when Ari illegally declared the result.
Many Nigerians had accused the security chiefs who accompanied the INEC REC to announce the result of aiding and abetting him.