The Senator representing Adamawa South senatorial zone whose mandate was recently renewed has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to handover Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari for prosecution.
He accused the national chairman of INEC Prof. Mahmood Yakubu of grand conspiracy to rob Adamawa people of the mandate they freely gave to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
In a statement he forwarded to this medium, Monday, the senator urged the commission to take steps to repair its battered image and to prosecute the REC for gross abuse of office.
“The sad event of yesterday, Sunday April 16th, 2023 calls for any responsible leader of conscience to take a stand and speak out in the interest of peace and justice.
“Sequel to the Governorship election of March 18th, it is public knowledge, that the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Yunusa Hudu Ari, was caught on tape, directing the INEC Collation Officer in Fufore Local Government Area, to “taimaki matan nan” meaning help that woman. Malam Hudu, the REC, was subsequently interviewed on camera by journalists accredited to cover the elections, and he admitted to speaking to the Fufore INEC Returning Officer, affirming to giving that directive.
“Interested parties raised alarm and called for the replacement of the REC, but INEC ignored this open display of partisanship by its high-ranking official. In my considered opinion, INEC and its National Chairman Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu are complicit, and part and parcel of this grand conspiracy against the peace loving people of Adamawa State.
“INEC needs to urgently take steps to repair its damaged reputation by handing over Malam Hudu for thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution for attempting to cause an insurrection in Adamawa State. INEC should also, after listening to its officials summoned to Abuja, direct them to return to Adamawa and complete the collation of the oustanding results, and declare the winner without delay,” he said.
The senator added that the situation has caused undue anxiety and tension in the state.
“Yesterday, a major confrontation in Mayobelwa town laced with ethnic and religious undertones was averted by the timely intervention of the DPO and Operation Farauta personnel. The fragile peace we have been enjoying in the state must not be truncated.
“I’m making this call in my capacity as the Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District comprising 9 of the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, who actively and painstakingly took part in the just concluded supplementary election on Saturday, April 15th, 2023,” he said.
Adamawa State was in the news yesterday after the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari declared Binani as governor-elect amidst protest. INEC later issued a statement saying that the REC has no remit to declare the winner of the polls.
