‘I Swear Binani Won 2023 Adamawa Guber Poll,’ Dismissed REC Ari Insists
Claims Evidence Was Ignored
Barrister Hudu Ari, the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, has reiterated his claim that Senator Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election, was the rightful winner of the poll.
Speaking at a press briefing at his residence in Bauchi State on Saturday, Ari swore by the name of God, asserting that his actions during the election were guided by truth and evidence. He claimed to possess documentary proof that Binani defeated the incumbent governor, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ari, who was suspended in 2023 and eventually 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 Holy Qur’an during the briefing, Ari maintained that his actions were in good faith and adhered to electoral guidelines. He alleged that both he and other electoral officials faced immense pressure to declare Governor Fintiri the winner, or face personal security threats.
Ari 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. He recalled an incident in which he, along with the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies, raided a private residence allegedly tied to the governor, discovering electoral malpractices taking place inside.
“It took time to open the door, and when we finally gained access, we found the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other officials working with election documents that covered the entire state,” Ari claimed.
He further accused Aji of distributing BVAS machines and bribing INEC staff with foreign currency on Election Day, describing it as a blatant abuse of office. Ari stated that he took immediate action against these violations, expecting INEC headquarters to intervene, but claimed his reports were ignored.
Ari asserted that he was denied a fair hearing by INEC and the Tribunal, and that his evidence supporting Binani’s victory was dismissed without proper consideration. While acknowledging his sack by the President, he said his primary concern was the “media trial” that, according to him, had tarnished his reputation.
Responding to allegations that he received a ₦2 billion bribe from politicians, Ari categorically denied the claim. He revealed that he was consulting with his family about pursuing legal action, stating, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and it is up to us to either make it or mar it.”
Reflecting on his tenure in Adamawa, Ari emphasized that he had successfully overseen the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections without controversy. However, he noted that issues emerged during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in 69 polling units, leading to the crisis that ultimately led to his dismissal.
