Binani Won 2023 Governorship Election – Sacked Adamawa REC Says

Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, has reiterated his claim that Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, won the 2023 election in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi State on Saturday, Yunusa-Ari, while swearing on the Quran, defended his controversial decision to declare Binani the winner of the election, insisting that his actions were based on good faith.

He alleged that there was undue pressure on electoral officials to announce Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the winner.

“The dismissal is not my problem. The civil service operates by its rules and procedures,” he stated.

“In law, there is a golden rule of natural justice, which says one must be heard. Even God does not punish without sending His messages, prophets, and scriptures.

“INEC refused to accept my letters, and the tribunal dismissed my evidence. Even an ordinary judge would question that.

“Wallahi, I acted within the bounds of the Quran. We must remember the Last Day. I can even declare it again—she won the election against Fintiri.”

In April 2023, Yunusa-Ari unilaterally announced Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship supplementary poll while collation was still ongoing. INEC swiftly nullified the declaration, summoned him to its Abuja headquarters, and later referred the matter to security agencies for investigation.

Following the incident, former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Yunusa-Ari on April 20, 2023, pending a police probe. Subsequently, on July 6, 2024, INEC filed a six-count charge against him before a high court in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Recently, the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to formally dismiss Yunusa-Ari alongside the suspended RECs of Abia and Sokoto states over allegations of misconduct.