The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has placed the Resident Electoral Commissioner ,Hudu Yinusa-Ari in Adamawa State on an indefinite suspension, following the outcome of the governorship poll in the state., in which Ari declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Aisha Dahiru Binani, as the winner of the election.
INEC’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, said in a statement on Monday that Yunusa-Ari should avoid the commission’s office until further notice.
“I hereby convey the commission’s decision that you (Barr Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State, should stay away from the commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice,” Oriaran-Anthony said.
The development follows Yunusa-Ari’s declaration of Aisha Dahiru Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, as the governor-elect following the Saturday supplementary election.
INEC later said the declaration was null and void.
Oriaran-Anthony added that the commission had directed the administrative secretary in the state to take charge of its affairs with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the Governorship Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Adamawa State has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conclude the processes of the governorship election in the state without further delay.
Leading a protest to the state INEC office in Yola on Monday, the Council insists that the collation of results of the supplementary governorship election halted on Sunday be resumed immediately.