Why I Declared Binani Winner Of Adamawa Guber -Suspended REC Finally Speaks

The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Barrister Hudu Ari, has finally explained why he declared Aishatu Dahiru also known as Binani, winner of the governorship election in the state.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suspended Ari for usurping the powers of the State Returning Officer and declaring Binani winner when collation of the supplementary election results was still ongoing.

INEC had invited Ari alongside others to Abuja afterwards, however, the electoral Commission claimed not to know the whereabout of Ari as according to the Commission, he refused to honour all invitation and calls put across to him.

The Commission had also written to the Inspector General of Police calling for the investigation of Hudu Ari and possible prosecution if found guilty.

Speaking for the first time after the Adamawa state supplementary election, Ari who granted an interview to BBC Hausa on Monday, said he does not regret his declaration as he did so with the full backing of the law.

He denied allegations that he received a two million naira bribe to declare Binani of the APC winner.

In his words (translated);

“I swear, I had nothing to do with either Binani or Fintiri. All these stories about the N2 billion bribe were social media hype.”

” I have no regrets whatsoever, when you do something that was allowed to be done in a democracy, there are no regrets”.