The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to defend himself in court rather than through public statements.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, following Yunusa-Ari’s recent press conference in Bauchi, where he faulted his suspension and insisted that Aisha Dahiru (popularly known as Binani) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 governorship election.
Yunusa-Ari, who was suspended in April 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing a six-count charge over alleged irregularities in the Adamawa governorship election held on March 18, 2023. His suspension followed his controversial declaration of Binani as the election winner while collation was still ongoing—a move that INEC later nullified.
Oyekanmi dismissed Yunusa-Ari’s claims of unfair treatment, stating that the election dispute had been resolved through the judicial process, including the Supreme Court.
“The commission will not comment on the propriety or otherwise of his conduct, as the matter is currently before the High Court sitting in Yola and is, therefore, sub judice,” Oyekanmi said.
He further stressed that Yunusa-Ari, now back in the country, should submit to legal proceedings rather than seeking public sympathy.
Yunusa-Ari had claimed he attempted to explain his actions to INEC through multiple letters and alleged that officials were pressured to declare Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the election winner.
However, the Federal High Court in Abuja, in February 2024, dismissed his suit seeking protection from arrest, detention, or prosecution, ruling that he had no legal grounds for such immunity. In January 2025, he also pleaded with the Adamawa High Court to adjourn his case indefinitely.
Recently, the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to sack Yunusa-Ari, alongside the RECs of Abia and Sokoto states, over alleged misconduct.
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