Yunusa-Ari faults sack as Adamawa REC, says he wasn’t allowed to defend himself

Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the former resident electoral commissioner (REC) of Adamawa state, has faulted his dismissal over alleged electoral irregularities in the 2023 governorship election.

Recently, the senate granted the request of President Bola Tinubu to sack the suspended RECs of Adamawa, Abia and Sokoto states over alleged misconduct.

Speaking with journalists in Bauchi, Yunusa-Ari said he sent several letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain his side of the story.

The dismissed REC said all the letters were rejected despite the evidence he presented.

Yunusa-Ari said he has evidence to support his decision to announce Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa.

He added that the electoral tribunal that was in charge of the Adamawa governorship election refused to accept his evidence.

During the press conference, he displayed documents he claimed were authentic result sheets and letters he sent to INEC.

Yunusa-Ari said he had no regrets about his decision and would make the same choice if given the chance again, as he believes he is on the side of the truth.

“The dismissal is not my problem. The civil service is governed by civil service rules, procedures, and services,” he was quoted by Channels Television.

“In law, there is what we call the golden rule of natural justice which says that you must be heard.

“Even God will never punish anybody without sending the messages, the prophets, and the scriptures.

“The refusal of INEC to collect my letters and then the tribunal said they are not using my evidence. Even as an ordinary judge, what do you say to that?

“Wallahi, whatever I do, I do it within the bounds of the Quran. We have to remember the last day.

“I can even announce it now; she won the election against Fintiri.”

BACKGROUND

In April 2023, Yunusa-Ari declared Aisha Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship supplementary poll when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.

However, INEC declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

On April 20, 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Adamawa REC pending the completion of an investigation by the police.

On July 6, 2024, INEC filed a six-count charge against Yunusa-Ari before a high court in Yola, Adamawa state capital.