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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to defend his actions during the 2023 governorship election through legal processes rather than press conferences. Yunusa-Ari was removed from his position after controversially declaring Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner while vote collation was still ongoing—a move that violated electoral guidelines, which mandate only the returning officer to announce results.
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi over the weekend, Yunusa-Ari claimed he had “incontrovertible evidence” that Binani defeated the incumbent governor, Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and accused INEC of suppressing this evidence. However, INEC insists that his claims should be tested in court, not in the media.
Yunusa-Ari has reportedly failed to appear in court multiple times, with allegations that he fled to Niger Republic. This has sparked calls for his arrest to face the legal consequences of his actions. The case highlights the need for accountability and adherence to due process in Nigeria’s electoral system.
