Suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, has defended his decision to announce the results of 69 polling units in the April 15 supplementary election, citing security pressure as the reason. In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Ari explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to prevent potential danger resulting from delaying the announcement of the election results.
Ari mentioned that the results brought by presiding officers from the 69 polling units differed from those uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He faced numerous challenges during the election, including attempts to replace him as the collation officer, threats by candidates to incite violence, and the presence of policemen surrounding his house.
Ari declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aishatu Ahmed (Binani), the winner of the election based on the highest number of valid votes. He also revealed an intelligence report indicating that two national commissioners held a meeting with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Following the declaration, some PDP supporters attacked two INEC commissioners and the returning officer for allegedly failing to secure Fintiri’s victory.
