The President went tough yesterday in his first direct reaction to the Adamawa governorship election debacle.
He ordered the immediate suspension, investigation and prosecution if necessary, of Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
President Muhammadu Buhari also directed the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, to commence an immediate investigation into the roles played by their officers and men in the supplementary election fiasco.
The controversial REC on Sunday breached the election results collation process by announcing the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the winner thereby generating a crisis.
Yunusa-Ari’s action taken in the company with senior security operatives contravened the Electoral Act 2022, which places the responsibility for announcing results on the Returning Office (RO).
A statement issued from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension from the office of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), of Adamawa State pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct/actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.
“The President has directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the Inspector General of Police.”
The statement, which was issued by the Director of Information in the OSGF, Mr Willie Bassey, also said the President directed the IGP, the DG of DSS and the Commandant-General of the NSCDC to also commence the investigation of the roles played by their personnel in the election crisis.
“Also, the President has directed investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them”, the statement said.
The Nation
