The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to defend himself in court rather than making claims through media engagements.
The Chief Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
“Now that he is back in the country, the right place to prove his innocence and the propriety of his actions is by availing himself for the due process of law and not through a press conference,” Oyekanmi emphasized.
Yunusa-Ari, who is facing a six-count charge over his alleged unlawful role in the controversial Adamawa governorship election held on March 18, 2023, recently addressed the media in Bauchi, where he faulted his suspension by INEC and insisted that Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the election.
The former REC was suspended in April 2023 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari after he declared Binani the winner while collation of results was still ongoing. INEC swiftly nullified his declaration and summoned him to Abuja, where his suspension was finalized.
In his latest remarks, Yunusa-Ari claimed he was denied a fair hearing and alleged that there was pressure to declare Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner. He argued that he had written multiple letters to INEC to explain his actions but received no response.
However, Oyekanmi dismissed Yunusa-Ari’s assertions, noting that the matter had already been resolved judicially. “The substantive matter of the 2023 Adamawa State governorship election has been determined through the appropriate judicial process, from the trial tribunal to the appeal tribunal, and finally settled by the Supreme Court,” he said.
The legal troubles facing Yunusa-Ari remain unresolved. In February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit he filed seeking protection against arrest, detention, or prosecution. Justice James Omotosho ruled that Yunusa-Ari’s attempt to shield himself lacked merit.
In January 2025, the suspended REC requested the Adamawa High Court to indefinitely adjourn the case against him.
As the legal proceedings continue, INEC maintains that the courts remain the appropriate avenue for Yunusa-Ari to clear his name.
