Essential Ndubuisi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has barred the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, from the state office. In a memo signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and sent to Ari on Monday, INEC directed him to stay away from the office until further notice.
The directive was issued after Ari declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aisha Dahiru, as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State on Saturday, even before the conclusion of the process. The declaration caused controversy, as the electoral guidelines do not allow the REC to declare state election results.
The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect. Ari served as the REC for the governorship election in Adamawa State.
The PUNCH reports on Sunday that Ari had been invited by the electoral umpire to Abuja, thereby declaring the supplementary election as null and void. The situation has generated concern among political stakeholders in the state, as they call on INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
