INEC to Hudu: Prove Your Innocence in Court Over Binani’s Declaration in Adamawa Guber Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the sacked Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to defend his actions in court instead of making unsubstantiated claims in the media.

According to reports on Monday, Yunusa-Ari recently defended his controversial decision to declare the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, as the winner of the 2023 Adamawa election. He claimed to have evidence justifying his action.

However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed Yunusa-Ari’s statements, urging him to face the legal process.

“Now that he is back in the country, the right place to prove his innocence and the propriety of his action is by availing himself for the due process of law and not a press conference,” Oyekanmi said.

He further emphasized that the Supreme Court had already settled the election dispute, and INEC would not discuss the former REC’s conduct since the matter remains under litigation at the High Court in Yola.

“The Commission will not comment on the propriety or otherwise of his conduct during the concluding part of the election as the matter is right now the subject of litigation at the High Court sitting in Yola and therefore subjudice,” he added.

Yunusa-Ari had reportedly gone into hiding last year during his trial, with his lawyer claiming he was in Niger Republic. His return has reignited discussions about his controversial role in the election.