Stay Away For Now, INEC Tells Controversial Adamawa REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, to stay away from the Commission’s office in the State until further notice.

The Commission disclosed this in an April 17, 2023 letter, signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

Meanwhile, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the State has been directed to take over the activities of the Commission with immediate effect.

The letter reads: “I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.

“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect.

“Please, accept the assurances of the Commission’s warm regard.”

READ ALSO: Confusion in Adamawa Over REC’s Declaration Of APC’s Binani As Governor-elect

Prime Business Africa reports that Yunusa Ari on Sunday declared the APC candidate, Aisha Dahiru also known as Binani, as winner of the governorship election in the state, after a supplementary poll on Saturday even before the conclusion of the collation of results in 10 out of 21 local government areas in in the north east state.

The action which triggered crisis in the state on Sunday, made INEC to summon the REC to the Commission’s headquarters.

The Commission further announced suspension of collation of the remaining results and overuled the  declaration by the Adamawa REC, describing it as “null, void and of no effect.”