Buhari approves suspension of Adamawa REC

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari, pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, into the conduct/actions of the REC during the recently-concluded controversial supplementary election in Adamawa State.

The President has also directed the immediate investigation, and prosecution, if found liable, of Yunusa-Ari, by the IG.

The Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

Bassey said, “Also, the President has directed investigation by the IGP, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Yunusa-Ari, and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, should be meted out to them.”

Recall that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission does not need the interference of the federal government to deal with any of its erring staff.

Speaking on the development after the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday, the Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari did not intervene in the crisis because he does not micromanage any of the government’s institutions.

He said, “I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts its elections. So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it.