INEC writes IGP, SGF, seeks investigation, prosecution of Adamawa REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will write Usman Baba, inspector-general of police, to investigate and prosecute Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) for Adamawa.

The decision was taken on Tuesday at the technical meeting attended by national commissioners of INEC in Abuja.

The electoral umpire has also decided to write Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, to brief President Muhammadu Buhari about the “unwholesome behaviour” of the REC.

The electoral body said the collation process “shall resume at a time to be determined” by the returning officer.

The Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.

The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.

But Yunusa-Ari declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election when results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced.

INEC subsequently discontinued the exercise and described his action as null and void, adding that the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer.

The development triggered protests in Adamawa state. Members of the PDP staged a demonstration on Monday, marching through the streets of Yola, the capital of the state.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) had condemned the REC’s action and called on INEC to “sanction all erring officials who carried out the illegal” declaration of Binani as the winner of the poll.