Adamawa Rerun: Yaroe Calls For Arrest, Prosecution Of REC

The Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, Binos Dauda Yaroe, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arrest and prosecute the state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Malam Yunusa Hudu Ari.

Senator Yaroe made the call following the announcement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Aishatu Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa state guber election by Ari.

The action has seen wide condemnation by people within and outside Nigeria.

Yaroe explained that the REC's action was capable of plunging the state into insurrection.

The Senator also urged the INEC to return and continue with the collation of results and announce the winner. 

He made this known in a statement he personally signed on Monday. 

"The sad event of yesterday, Sunday, April 16th, 2023 calls for any responsible leader of conscience to take a stand and speak out in the interest of peace and justice.

"Sequel to the Governorship election of March 18th, it is public knowledge, that the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Yunusa Hudu Ari, was caught on tape, directing the INEC Collation Officer in Fufore Local Government Area, to "taimaki matan nan" meaning help that woman. 

"Malam Hudu, the REC, was subsequently interviewed on camera by journalists accredited to cover the elections, and he admitted to speaking to the Fufore INEC Returning Officer, affirming to giving that directive.

"Interested parties raised alarm and called for the replacement of the REC, but INEC ignored this open display of partisanship by its high-ranking official.

"In my considered opinion, INEC and its National Chairman Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu are complicit, and part and parcel of this grand conspiracy against the peace-loving people of Adamawa State.

"INEC needs to urgently take steps to repair its damaged reputation by handing over Malam Hudu for a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution for attempting to cause an insurrection in Adamawa State. 

"INEC should also, after listening to its officials summoned to Abuja, direct them to return to Adamawa and complete the collation of the outstanding results, and declare the winner without delay.

"Yesterday, a major confrontation in Mayobelwa town laced with ethnic and religious undertones was averted by the timely intervention of the DPO and Operation Farauta personnel. 

"The fragile peace we have been enjoying in the state must not be truncated.

"I am making this call in my capacity as the Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District comprising 9 of the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, who actively and painstakingly took part in the just concluded supplementary election on Saturday, April 15th, 2023," the statement read.