Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, has been arrested amidst a controversy surrounding the declaration of election results. Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed Yunusa-Ari’s arrest on Tuesday, adding that some of the individuals involved in the controversy were also being investigated.
Yunusa-Ari sparked controversy after declaring Senator Aisha Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election before the collation of results had ended. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) overruled the REC and summoned him to Abuja. However, INEC spokesman Festus Okoye later announced that Yunusa-Ari’s whereabouts were unknown as he neither honored the summons nor communicated with the electoral body.
INEC had written to the Inspector-General of Police to request Yunusa-Ari’s arrest and prosecution. Adejobi confirmed the REC’s arrest but did not provide further details. Yunusa-Ari is currently in police custody and is being questioned to ascertain the motives behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was eventually declared the winner of the election.
