By Ogochukwu Isioma
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension from office of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Adamawa State.
Buhari gave the approval pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on the conduct and actions of the REC during the last Saturday’s April 15 supplementary governorship election in Adamawa.
METROWATCHXTRA.COM recalls that REC Ari had prematurely declared candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Dahiru Binani, winner of the Adamawa governorship election, which was immediately voided by INEC.
The electoral umpire had consequently requested the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to draw the attention of the appointing authority(Presidency) to the “unwholesome behaviour” of the REC for further action.
In a statement on Friday issued by Office of the SGF and signed by Mr Willie Bassey, a Director of Information in the Office, on behalf of the SGF, Buhari directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of the embattled REC Ari, by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Also, the President directed investigation by the IGP, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them.
