“Yunusa-Ari Told to Defend Himself Legally After Faulting INEC Suspension”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa, Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to prove his innocence in court rather than through public statements. This recommendation was made by the Chief Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Oyekanmi suggested that now that Yunusa-Ari had returned to the country, he should utilize the legal process to address his alleged involvement in irregularities during the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa. Yunusa-Ari is facing a six-count charge related to his actions in the election held on March 18, 2023.

The controversy surrounding Yunusa-Ari began in April 2023 when former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended him for declaring Aisha Dahiru (commonly known as Binani) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election while results were still being collated. INEC later declared the declaration null and void and summoned Yunusa-Ari to Abuja before suspending him from his duties.

At a press conference on Saturday in Bauchi State, Yunusa-Ari criticized his suspension, arguing that he was not given a fair hearing and maintained that Binani was the rightful winner of the election.

In response to these claims, Oyekanmi told the media that the matter of the 2023 Adamawa governorship election had already been settled through the proper judicial channels, including the trial tribunal, appeal tribunal, and the Supreme Court. He emphasized that the commission would not comment on the propriety of Yunusa-Ari’s actions as the matter is currently under litigation at the High Court in Yola.

“The right place to prove his innocence and the propriety of his actions is through the due process of law and not a press conference,” Oyekanmi stated, adding that the election-related issues were thoroughly addressed by the judicial system.

Yunusa-Ari, during his press appearance, claimed that he had made several attempts to explain his actions to INEC through letters. He also alleged that there was pressure on officials to declare Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the election winner, and he argued that he deserved to be heard.

Earlier in February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by Yunusa-Ari seeking protection from arrest, detention, or prosecution. The court ruled that his fundamental rights suit lacked merit and could not shield him from legal action.

In January 2025, Yunusa-Ari requested an indefinite adjournment of his case at the Adamawa High Court. Recently, the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to dismiss Yunusa-Ari and the RECs from Abia and Sokoto states over alleged misconduct, further adding to the legal troubles facing the suspended REC.