The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has said he does not regret announcing Aisha Binani as the winner of the state governorship election.
On April 16, Mr Ari had allegedly usurped the powers of the returning officer to announce Mrs Binani as the winner of the governorship election.
At the time Mr Ari made the declaration, only 10 out of 20 local government areas’ results were collated.
In a swift reaction, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the announcement null and void, asking Mr Ari to stay away from office.
Speaking during an interview published by BBC Hausa on Tuesday, the suspended REC denied collecting bribe to make the announcement.
“I didn’t ask Binani and Fintiri for a single penny. It is against my religion to collect money from someone to help him do anything and I swear to God, claims that I was offered N2 billion are just baseless allegations and rumours.
“Where will I take N2 billion to? I saw it on social media that I was offered N2 billion,” Mr Ari said.
Asked if he regretted his action, Mr Ari insisted that the APC candidate won the election. “I don’t regret announcing Binani as the winner of the election.
“Anything you do according to the law, you won’t regret it. Aisha Binani won the election, and everything was clear on the result sheets,” Mr Ari added.
The suspended REC also said he never went into hiding, adding that he would honour the police invitation.
“I wrote a letter to INEC, which they said they wouldn’t accept — but I’m sure they’ve accepted, and the invitation sent by the police is mandatory for me to honour it.
“I never went into hiding. I will honour the invitation of the police,” he noted.
