During a press conference this past weekend in Bauchi, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State, resurfaced with accusations that INEC suppressed evidence proving Binani’s victory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission dismissed his claims on Monday, saying that the courts, not press conferences, are the appropriate venue for him to defend his actions. Yunusa-Ari was fired for his controversial declaration of Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) of the All Progressives Party as the winner of the 2023 Adamawa governorship election while collation was still ongoing.
He charged that the commission’s leadership had disregarded important documents that might have changed the outcome of the election. Yunusa-Ari, who was suspended on April 17, 2023, insists that his actions were legal and refutes claims that he took a ₦2 billion bribe to proclaim Binani the winner.
There have been requests for his arrest due to his repeated failure to appear in court and reports that he fled to the Niger Republic.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, the INEC Chairman’s chief press secretary, responded to Yunusa-Ari’s remarks regarding the 2023 Adamawa governorship election by saying the commission didn’t see anything novel in them.
Oyekanmi emphasized that the Supreme Court had already rendered the ultimate decision in the electoral issue, resolving it definitively.
Since the matter is still before the Yola High Court, INEC also made it plain that it would not comment on Yunusa-Ari’s contentious actions during the final stages of the election.
Oyekanmi added that INEC maintains that Yunusa-Ari should follow the law since he has returned to Nigeria and does not want to use public statements to defend his activities.
Our attention has also been drawn to the interview that former Adamawa State REC Hudu Yunusa-Ari granted,” the CPS stated. His remarks don’t constitute anything new.
In any event, the Supreme Court has ultimately resolved the substantive issue of the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election after it was decided by the proper legal process, which included a trial tribunal, an appeal tribunal, and a supreme court.
Since the matter is currently in litigation at the High Court in Yola and is consequently subjudice, the Commission will not comment on whether or not his actions during the election’s final phase were appropriate.
“Now that he is back in the country, he should use the due process of law rather than a press conference to demonstrate his innocence and the appropriateness of his actions.”