The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
In a letter signed on Monday by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Adamawa REC was directed to stay away from INEC’s office in the state.
Oriaran-Anthony in the letter said the Administrative Secretary has been asked to take full charge of the office in Adamawa with immediate effect.
“I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect,” the INEC Secretary’s letter read.
Yunusa-Ari’s suspension followed his controversial Sunday declaration of the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru as the governor-elect of Adamawa State after Saturday’s supplementary election.
In a statement shortly after the Adamawa REC’s declaration, INEC said he usurped the power of the Returning Officer, therefore his action is “null, void and of no effect”.
In a follow-up statement, the electoral commission summoned the Adamawa REC; the Returning Officer, Mele Lamido; and two National Commissioners drafted to monitor the Adamawa election to Abuja.