Festus Okoye, the INEC spokesman, claimed that the electoral umpire has sufficient evidence to make a case against Yunusa-Ari.
In response to Hudu Yunusa-Ari’s suspension as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will “soon” take appropriate measures.
Festus Okoye, the national commissioner for INEC, stated that the police have finished their inquiries into the subject on Thursday’s episode of Politics Today on Channels Television.
Okoye added that the electoral umpire have sufficient evidence to make a case against Yunusa-Ari.
He stated, “I am aware that the police have finished their investigations and I am aware that Nigerians will be informed of what will happen in the coming weeks.”
If a case has been made against Ari, the Independent National Electoral Commission is mandated by law to bring charges against him.
After the supplementary election in Adamawa on April 15, 2023, Yunusa-Ari courted controversy when he declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the victor while the results were still being tallied.
President Muhammadu Buhari then ordered a thorough inquiry of the electoral commissioner and the security personnel who were there when he made the declaration. As a result, INEC annulled Yunusa-Ari’s decision and suspended him.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, was subsequently declared the legitimate victor of the drama-filled election by INEC.
Despite the fact that Yunusa-Ari’s whereabouts remained unknown for more than two weeks, on May 2, 2023, he turned himself in to the police. On May 5, 2023, the police ultimately granted him bail. Curious Nigerians are still wondering what would happen with the case.
On Thursday, when questioned about whether INEC has enough proof to bring a case against Yunusa-Ari, Okoye responded, “Yes.”
The INEC spokesman stated that while the investigation into the troubled INEC official was ongoing, the police and the electoral commission were in discussions and that a decision will be reached “very soon.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission participated in parts of the steps leading to the investigation, and there has been some interaction between the Nigeria Police Force and the commission. The commission will act on the Adamawa REC very soon, he promised.
