- He alleged that INEC’s ICT head in Adamawa, Bala Aji,compromised the election as he handed over 20,000 sensitive election documents to Governor Fintiri.
The dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has opened up on the conduct of the controversial 2023 governorship election in the State.
He disclosed that election was marred by widespread irregularities and malpractices, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the poll and not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he claimed he was forced to declare as winner.
Yunusa-Ari made the disclosure during an interview with newsmen in Bauchi State.
He alleged that INEC’s ICT head in Adamawa, Bala Aji,compromised the election as he handed over 20,000 sensitive election documents to Governor Fintiri.
He further claimed that the documents were found in a private house linked to the governor, where top government officials were allegedly manipulating them.
Yunusa-Ari also alleged that Aji distributed BVAS machines and bribed INEC staff with foreign currency on election day, calling it a blatant abuse of office.
He lamented that his reports exposing those violations were ignored by INEC headquarters.
He said, “The dismissal is not my problem. The civil service is governed by civil service rules, procedures, and services.
“In law, there is what we call the golden rule of natural justice which says that you must be heard. Even God will never punish anybody without sending the messages, the prophets, and the scriptures.
“The refusal of INEC to collect my letters and then the tribunal said they are not using my evidence. Even as an ordinary judge, what do you say to that?” He asked
Ari insisted that he had substantial evidence to support his position but was never invited to present his case.
He displayed documents he claimed were authentic result sheets, along with letters he sent to INEC.
“They should have acted immediately, but my report was swept under the carpet. This is one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life,” he stated.
He decried being denied a fair hearing, claiming INEC and the Tribunal dismissed all his evidence.
Dismissing allegations of receiving a N2 billion bribe, Yunusa-Ari said he is consulting his family on his next steps, stating that the media trial has severely damaged his reputation.
Yunusa-Ari was suspended on April 17, 2023, after unilaterally declaring Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship rerun election while collation was still in progress.
His announcement was widely condemned as unlawful, prompting the INEC to swiftly annul the announcement.
He was later arraigned before the Adamawa State High Court on charges of unprofessional conduct.
Earlier this year, his attempt to halt court proceedings was dismissed for lacking merit
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