The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken legal action against Hudu Yunusa-Ari, a suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State. INEC filed six charges against Yunusa-Ari at the High Court in Yola, the state capital, following a thorough review of the police case file, which established a prima facie case against him. The charges were announced by INEC spokesman Festus Okoye, who also stated that the court has scheduled the trial to commence on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Yunusa-Ari’s actions during the supplementary election in Adamawa on April 15, 2023, sparked controversy. He prematurely declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner while the collation of results was still underway. INEC subsequently nullified Yunusa-Ari’s decision and suspended him from duty, while President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
Following the investigation, INEC concluded the election and officially announced the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the legitimate winner of the eventful poll. However, the controversy surrounding Yunusa-Ari’s conduct persisted, leading to INEC’s decision to press charges against him.
The news of INEC’s charges against Yunusa-Ari has sparked reactions from Nigerians, with some expressing concerns about the electoral process’s inconsistencies. Criticisms have been directed not only at Yunusa-Ari but also at INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu. Many Nigerians argue that if charges are being filed against one official, the chairman should also be held accountable to ensure fairness.
@Chuks “The charges should start from Mahmoud yakubu the INEC chairman else, we consider all other persecution as political drama. Adamawa is not the whole Nigeria, correct Nigeria before Adamawa.”
@Ugobest D “Just to fulfil all righteousness, the charges won’t hold waters, just did it to cajole the public that they re against malpractice. Very soon the case will be thrown to the bin”
Calls for the removal of INEC and its chairman have been made in the past by various individuals, including Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Agbakoba urged President Bola Tinubu to remove Yakubu from office, claiming that his continued presence could hinder electoral reform in Nigeria.
Recently, Buba Galadima, a Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), accused INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu of committing more serious offenses than the suspended Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele. Galadima called for Yakubu’s dismissal by President Bola Tinubu, alleging that Yakubu had conspired with politicians to undermine the will of Nigerians during a previous presidential election.
The ongoing debate surrounding INEC’s actions and the credibility of the electoral process raises important questions about the need for transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Should the INEC Chairman be subject to prosecution as well?
