Suspended Adamawa REC In Police Custody Over Gubernatorial Elections
The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the supplementary gubernatorial elections in Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has been arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja.
His arrest followed the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the REC is investigated and prosecuted for his actions, which was described as a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer.
It would be recalled that Barr. Ari announced the candidate of the All-Progressives Congress, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, as the winner of the gubernatorial elections while the results coalition was still ongoing.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the suspended REC was arrested on Tuesday, stated that other officials and individuals fingered in the saga are being interrogated.
“The Nigeria Police Force confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All-Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.
“Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023, is currently in Police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State. In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.
“The Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution. The Inspector-General of Police has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.”
