Former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Hudu Ari, has once again asserted that Senator Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the legitimate winner of the 2023 governorship election.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi State on Saturday, Ari claimed to possess documentary evidence proving that Binani defeated Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ari, who was suspended in 2023 and officially dismissed following National Assembly approval, expressed disappointment that his claims of electoral malpractice were allegedly overlooked by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
Holding a Qur’an as he spoke, Ari insisted that his actions were based on integrity and adherence to electoral laws.
He further alleged that INEC officials were pressured into declaring Governor Fintiri as the winner under threats.
The former REC accused INEC’s Head of ICT in Adamawa, Bala Aji, of manipulating election results in Fintiri’s favor by allegedly providing 20,000 election documents to him.
According to Ari, he, along with the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies, raided a private residence linked to the governor, where election materials were reportedly being altered.
He claimed that upon gaining entry, they discovered the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other officials handling sensitive election documents.
Additionally, Ari accused Aji of distributing BVAS machines and bribing electoral officials with foreign currency on Election Day.
He stated that despite reporting these alleged infractions to INEC headquarters, no action was taken.
Denying allegations that he accepted a ₦2 billion bribe, Ari lamented that his evidence supporting Binani’s victory was dismissed without proper review.
He also decried what he described as a media trial that tarnished his reputation.
He emphasized that his primary concern was not his dismissal by the President but what he viewed as unfair treatment.
Ari disclosed that he is consulting with his family on possible legal action, stressing that justice must be served.
Reflecting on his tenure, he highlighted that the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Adamawa were conducted smoothly.
However, he claimed that irregularities in 69 polling units during the governorship election led to the crisis that resulted in his removal.