Former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has made explosive claims about the 2023 governorship election in the state, alleging that he was pressured into announcing Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner despite evidence suggesting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, was the rightful victor. Yunusa-Ari’s claims have reignited debates about electoral integrity in Nigeria, as the controversy surrounding the election continues to unfold.
In an interview with journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Yunusa-Ari revealed that he and other electoral officials were subjected to intense pressure and even threats to their security to declare Fintiri as the winner. He went further to accuse the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Election Tribunal of deliberately ignoring evidence of electoral malpractice, which he claims would have proven Binani’s victory.
Yunusa-Ari also alleged that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the head of ICT in Adamawa, Bala Aji, were complicit in manipulating election results to favor Fintiri. “The evidence was clear, but it was deliberately ignored by those in power,” Yunusa-Ari stated, emphasizing that he had irrefutable proof of electoral fraud, including evidence of manipulation with the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
The embattled former REC swore on the Holy Qur’an that his actions during the election process were in line with electoral guidelines. However, he insists that he was unfairly dismissed without due process following his controversial announcement. “I was doing my job, following the guidelines, but I was unjustly dismissed and attacked without a fair hearing,” Yunusa-Ari said.
He further alleged that sensitive election materials, including 20,000 documents, were handed over to Governor Fintiri and later discovered in a private residence linked to the state government. “These materials should never have left the election premises,” Yunusa-Ari asserted, raising further concerns about the integrity of the election results.
One of the most serious claims Yunusa-Ari made was that BVAS machines were manipulated, with INEC officials allegedly bribed in foreign currency to skew results on election day. “The entire process was compromised, and those responsible for the manipulation need to be held accountable,” he argued. Despite providing what he claims was concrete evidence of these irregularities, Yunusa-Ari said that his findings were disregarded by both INEC and the Election Tribunal.
Yunusa-Ari lamented that his efforts to present evidence of electoral malpractice were ignored by the authorities. “Even God gives people the right to defend themselves, yet I was not given a fair hearing,” he said. “My letters and evidence were ignored, and no one was willing to listen to the truth.” His frustration with the legal and electoral systems was evident throughout the interview, as he expressed a sense of betrayal and disappointment.
In addition to his claims about the election process, Yunusa-Ari vehemently denied allegations that he received a N2 billion bribe to influence the election results. “These accusations are baseless and false. I never received such an amount, and the allegations are part of a smear campaign against me,” he said, rejecting the bribery claims.
Yunusa-Ari, who was suspended by INEC on April 17, 2023, after he unilaterally declared Binani as the winner while the collation process was still ongoing, has been at the center of the political storm in Adamawa State. His announcement was swiftly nullified by INEC, and he was later arraigned before the Adamawa State High Court on charges of unprofessional conduct.
Despite his suspension, Yunusa-Ari remains adamant that he acted in good faith and according to electoral rules. “I did what I believed was right at the time, and now I am paying the price for it,” he said. His legal battle continues, with a recent attempt to halt the court proceedings dismissed due to lack of merit.
