News - April 18, 2023

Binani Declaration: INEC Moves to Prosecute Adamawa REC

Lois Agada April 18, 2023

3 min read

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari. This comes after his unlawful declaration of Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani, as the governor-elect of her state.

In a statement posted on its Twitter handle, the electoral umpire revealed that the request was a resolution of a meeting held by the commission today. It hinted that the commission decided to “Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.”

INEC also “requested the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behavior of the REC for further action.”

The commission further revealed that the collation process will resume “at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.” Recall that Binani, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate was illegally declared the winner of the supplementary elections when results from the remaining local government had not been received by the INEC.

Binani takes INEC to court

Reports say Binani asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from voiding an illegal declaration that named her as the governor-elect of the state.

She argued that INEC declared her the winner of the election after the collation of results, but the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor violently disturbed public peace and attacked an INEC National Commissioner.

Binani noted that the crisis forced INEC to void the original declaration naming her the governor-elect of the state. The APC flagbearer stressed that INEC did not have the power to void a declaration made as only the election petition tribunal has the power to void such a declaration.