Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has said that the recent apprehension of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of the State, Barr Hudu Yunusa Ari is a bold step toward the realization of electoral sanity in the nation’s democratic process.
In a statement signed by the Director General Media and Communications, Solomon Kumangar, and made available to Pioneer News, the governor of the state was said to have stated that Nigerians are beginning to develop confidence in governance with the response of the government to prevailing electoral robbery.
According to the statement, the arrest of Hudu has given a handful of Nigerians relief and provided substantial evidence and proof that the long arm of the Law will always catch up with Felons.
“While Hudu was at large, he had continued to stoke the embers of discord, misinformation, and half-truths about the real motive for his actions and his ignominious role in the sad event of 16th April 2023 where he tried with the assistance of compromised security agents including the commissioner of police Mohammed Barde, DSS Director Bulama and NSCDC Commandant to force an unpopular choice on the citizens of Adamawa State by way of a ‘civilian coup’.
“Our demands as have been reiterated over and over again, is for justice to run its full course and for everyone involved in this electoral heist of the ignoble declaration of the APC failed candidate as the winner of the election when collation of election results was yet to be concluded, is to face the full wrath of the law.
“The arrest of Yunusa Hudu-Ari is an important first step, in maintaining the sanctity of the electoral law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is also reassuring to our aggrieved citizens who have persevered through the sleight and sneer of those who believed willy nilly that our demand for justice may never see the light of day given the nation’s penchant for impunity and circumvention of the rule of law.“We see hope that a new Nigeria is possible and welcome the arrest of Hudu and ask the police and all relevant investigating agencies to ensure due diligence in the prosecution of this case to its logical conclusion to serve as a lesson for posterity,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Police in Abuja have confirmed the arrest of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa state in the just concluded elections and indicated its preparedness to interrogate other culprits fingered in the electoral broad daylight robbery.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who made this disclosure in a Press statement recently, said that the embattled REC is in Police custody.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) based on alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State,” the statement read in parts.
According to Police reports, Barrister Hudu who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on May 2, 2023, is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State.
The statement added that “the Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.”
The embattled REC was quoted as saying that his action was largely precipitated by pressure from above.
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