Dismissed Adamawa REC Hudu Ari Insists Binani Won 2023 Election, Alleges INEC Cover-Up
Former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Hudu Ari, has once again claimed that Senator Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 governorship election, despite the official declaration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner.
Speaking to journalists at his private residence in Bauchi, Ari, who was recently dismissed by President Bola Tinubu after the National Assembly approved his removal, maintained that he had concrete evidence proving Binani's victory.
"I have documents to support my declaration that Aisha Binani won the election. Unfortunately, both INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and the Election Tribunal ignored my reports on the irregularities that took place," he stated, holding a copy of the Holy Qur’an.
Ari alleged that he was under immense pressure to declare Fintiri as the winner, claiming that his security was threatened if he did not comply. "I acted in good faith and in line with the electoral guidelines, but my concerns were dismissed," he said.
The former REC accused INEC’s Head of ICT in Adamawa, Bala Aji, of tampering with election documents, alleging that over 20,000 sensitive materials were handed over to the governor’s team.
"We received reports that election documents were being manipulated in a private residence linked to the governor. Myself, the Commissioner of Police, and other security officials went there. It took time before they opened the door, and when they did, we found the Secretary to the State Government and other officials handling sensitive materials," Ari alleged.
He further claimed that the ICT head misappropriated election papers and distributed BVAS devices to certain individuals while bribing INEC staff with foreign currency.
"My reports were swept under the carpet. I was denied a fair hearing, and the media trial has damaged my reputation. I never collected N2 billion from any politician, contrary to the allegations against me," he insisted.
Ari revealed that he is consulting with his family on whether to challenge his dismissal in court. "My removal is not my biggest concern. What worries me is the way the truth has been suppressed," he concluded.