INEC To Nigerians: Suspended Ari Nowhere To Be Found, Says INEC

The whereabouts of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, who allegedly created confusion during the governorship supplementary election in the state held on April 18, 2023, is nowhere to be found.

It would be recalled that the suspended REC reportedly usurped the powers of the Returning Officer by announcing Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, even when collation had not been concluded.

INEC’s National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, who spoke today, argued that Ari had not reported to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, several days after the electoral umpire summoned him.

According to Okoye, “We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote to him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.

“We asked him to report to the Commission last Sunday, but we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported, and we don’t know his whereabouts.”

While adding that it is the responsibility of the police to declare Ari wanted for failing to report to the commission or answer its calls, Okoye posited, “Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigeria police. If they feel that his presence is needed during the investigation, and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted."

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