INEC suspends Adamawa REC, Yunusa-Ari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may have on  Monday suspended  the controversial Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Malam Hudu Yunusa-Ari, directing him to immediately stay away from the state office until further notice.

INEC in a letter dated April 17, 2023 signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, titled “Commission’s Directive to Stay Away from INEC, Adamawa State,” directed the state administrative secretary to take charge of the state office immediately.

The letter read: “I, hereby, convey the Commission’s decision that you ( Hudu Yunusa-Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.

“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect.

“Please, accept the assurances of the commission’s warm.”

Yunusa-Ari on Saturday purportedly declared winner for Adamawa State governorship election while the process of results collation from about local governments were yet to be concluded.

The INEC headquarters, however, declared his action null and void, suspended the result collation process; and directed him and all involved in the action to report to Abuja.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, confirmed the letter in Abuja.

He said the REC, who was summoned to INEC headquarters on Sunday, was still being expected as at 3.30pm.

“The REC was directed to report today (Monday). We are still expecting him,” Okoye said.

NAN