The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, to steer clear of the Commission’s office in the State immediately until further notice.
The Commission disclosed this in a letter with reference number INEC/SEC/442/V.II titled: ‘Commission’s Directive to Stay Away from INEC, Adamawa State’ dated April 17, 202 and signed by the secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
Consequently, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the State has been directed to take full charge with immediate effect.
The letter reads in part: “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.
“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 regard.”
PREMIUM NEWS NIGERIA reports that for a second time, the political intrigues and confusion trailing the governorship race in Adamawa State defied the electoral process regarded as one of the most essential ingredients of democracy.
The governorship poll which was declared inconclusive last month has remained a challenge to democratic transition, as INEC on Sunday suspended the collation of results from the supplementary governorship election held in the state on Saturday.
Specifically, the electoral body declared the action of the REC when he pronounced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Dahiru (Binani), as winner of the election when the process had not been concluded as null and void, adding that it was an usurpation of powers of the Returning Officer.