Former Adamawa REC Hudu Yunusa-Ari insists Aisha Binani won the 2023 governorship election despite INEC nullifying his declaration. He claims electoral officials faced pressure to announce Fintiri as the winner. Yunusa-Ari, now facing legal charges, maintains he acted in good faith and stands by his decision.
Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa, has reaffirmed his stance that Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 governorship election in the state. Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi, he insisted that his controversial declaration of Binani as the winner was made in good faith.
Yunusa-Ari claimed he had sent multiple letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) explaining his position but was ignored. He also alleged that electoral officials were pressured to declare incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner. Holding the Quran, he swore that his actions were guided by his faith and a sense of justice.
In April 2023, Yunusa-Ari declared Binani the winner while collation was still ongoing, prompting INEC to nullify the announcement. His suspension followed soon after, with former President Muhammadu Buhari approving his removal. In 2024, INEC filed a six-count charge against him in an Adamawa court, citing misconduct.
Recently, President Bola Tinubu’s request to formally sack Yunusa-Ari, along with suspended RECs from Abia and Sokoto, was approved by the Senate. Despite legal actions against him, Yunusa-Ari remains adamant that Binani rightfully won the election.
