I Was Threatened To Declare Fintiri Winner – Dismissed Adamawa REC
The dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has alleged that he was pressured into declaring Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner of the controversial 2023 governorship election, despite having what he described as “undeniable evidence” that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, rightfully won the poll.
Speaking with selected journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Yunusa-Ari accused both the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the Election Tribunal of deliberately suppressing critical evidence of widespread irregularities.
He claimed that he and other electoral officials were forced to announce Fintiri as the winner under threats to their personal safety.
Swearing by the Holy Qur’an, the embattled former REC insisted that he acted within the electoral guidelines and in good faith.
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He further alleged that INEC’s ICT head in Adamawa, Bala Aji, compromised the election by handing over 20,000 sensitive documents to Governor Fintiri.
According to him, these documents were later discovered in a private residence linked to top government officials, where they were allegedly being manipulated.
Yunusa-Ari also claimed that Aji distributed BVAS machines and bribed INEC staff with foreign currency on election day.
He expressed frustration that his official reports detailing these violations were ignored by INEC headquarters.
“They should have acted immediately, but my report was swept under the carpet. This is one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life,” he lamented.
The sacked REC also decried the lack of a fair hearing, stating that both INEC and the Election Tribunal disregarded his submissions.
He dismissed allegations of receiving a N2 billion bribe, saying he was consulting with his family on his next line of action after what he described as a media trial that had damaged his reputation.
Yunusa-Ari was suspended on April 17, 2023, after unilaterally declaring Binani the winner of the Adamawa governorship rerun election while collation was still in progress.
His announcement was swiftly nullified by INEC, leading to his dismissal and subsequent arraignment before the Adamawa State High Court on charges of unprofessional conduct.
His attempt to halt court proceedings earlier this year was dismissed for lacking merit, further compounding his legal battles.
However, Yunusa-Ari maintains that he was merely a victim of a deeply flawed electoral process and insists that the truth will eventually prevail.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
