The former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has reiterated his claim that Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, won the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday in Bauchi State, Yunusa-Ari, while holding the Quran, maintained that his declaration of Binani as the winner was done in good faith.
The former REC stated that he had sent multiple letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to present his side of the story. He also alleged that electoral officials were under pressure to declare Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the winner.
“My dismissal is not my concern. The civil service operates by rules and procedures,” Yunusa-Ari said.
“In law, the golden rule of natural justice states that one must be given a fair hearing. Even God does not punish without first sending messages, prophets, and scriptures.
“INEC refused to accept my letters, and the tribunal disregarded my evidence. How does that align with fairness and justice?
“Wallahi, everything I did was in line with the Quran. We must all remember the last day. I can even declare it now—she won the election against Fintiri.”
In April 2023, Yunusa-Ari declared Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship supplementary election while collation was still ongoing. INEC swiftly nullified the announcement and summoned him to its Abuja headquarters.
Following an investigation by the police, then-President Muhammadu Buhari approved his suspension on April 20, 2023.
On July 6, 2024, INEC filed a six-count charge against Yunusa-Ari before a high court in Yola, Adamawa State. Recently, the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to dismiss him alongside the suspended RECs of Abia and Sokoto states over allegations of misconduct.
