President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension and further investigation of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari over actions of the REC during the April 15 supplementary governorship election in Adamawa State. This was made known on Thursday in a statement issued by William Bassey, the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to the statement, “Also, the President has directed investigation by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of the role their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Yunusa-Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, should be meted out to them.”
Recall that on Monday the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) summoned Yunusa-Ari and others and later suspended the Adamawa REC for usurping the powers of the Returning Officer and declaring results which is not the responsibility of the REC.
The Returning Officer returned to Adamawa state on Tuesday to finalize the collation of results, after which he declared the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor-elect.
More details later.