The recently dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Barrister Hudu Ari, has reiterated his claim that Senator Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election, was the rightful winner.
Ari defended his position by swearing an oath in the name of God, asserting that his actions during the election were based on truth and evidence.
In a press briefing at his private residence in Bauchi State on Saturday, Ari maintained that he had documentary proof showing that Binani had defeated the incumbent governor, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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Ari, who was suspended in 2023 and later dismissed after the National Assembly approved his removal last week, expressed frustration that his evidence of electoral irregularities was ignored by both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
Holding a copy of the Qur’an during the briefing, Ari swore that his actions were carried out in good faith and in accordance with electoral guidelines.
Ari revealed that there was significant pressure on him and other electoral officials to declare Governor Fintiri the winner, with threats to their personal safety if they did not comply.
He also accused INEC’s Head of ICT in Adamawa, Bala Aji, of compromising the election process by handing over approximately 20,000 election documents to the governor, who was also the PDP candidate.
Ari recounted an incident in which he, along with the Commissioner of Police and other security officials, raided a private residence allegedly tied to the governor, where electoral malpractices were taking place.
He claimed that after gaining access, they found the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other officials handling election documents from across the state.
Ari also accused Aji of distributing BVAS machines and bribing INEC staff with foreign currency on Election Day.
He considered this a clear abuse of duty and took steps to address it, but his reports were ignored by INEC headquarters, he said.
Ari emphasized that he was not concerned about his dismissal by the President, but rather the “media trial” that he felt had damaged his reputation.
He also denied allegations that he had received a ₦2 billion bribe from politicians and mentioned that he was consulting his family about taking legal action.
Reflecting on his tenure, Ari noted that he had successfully managed the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections without controversy.
However, he claimed that problems arose during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in 69 polling units, which led to the crisis and ultimately his dismissal.
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