The former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, has insisted that he has enough evidence the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aisha Binani defeated Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hudu, who spoke on Saturday in Bauchi with select journalists, said that both Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, and the Election Tribunal dismissed all his evidence against the irregularities in the controversial governorship election.
He said that there was pressure on him and other officials of the Commission to declare the incumbent Fintiri or else his security could not be guaranteed.
Hudu, who swore by the Holy Qur’an, said he did all he did in good faith and under the guidelines of the election.
“It came to my notice that my ICT head, Bala Aji, conducted himself, not in the manner of a good civil servant, or an honest civil servant, as far as the elections were concerned. He surrendered election documents, about 20,000 copies, to the Governor of Adamawa State.
“We received a report, myself, the Commissioner of Police, and all the paramilitary agencies operating in Adamawa State. We went to that place, it’s a private house of the governor. We went there, it took us time to open that door. The door was opened, we met the SSG and some government officials.
“We met them working directly, directly with these documents. These documents cover the whole of the State. So, we wrote a report. This is what is happening. And not only that, Bala Aji (ICT Head of INEC in Adamawa) misappropriated some of our papers. He took them somewhere, and the worst of it, on the day of the election.
“Bala Aji, the ICT head, was busy dashing away BVAS. He was giving our staff money in foreign currency. The thought came to me, I was shocked. To me, it’s an abuse of his own responsibility. So, I called him, I took strides against all that had happened, all the allegations against him. So, I expected the headquarters to respond quickly.
“They should have act on those vote buying. So, they should have immediately come in and let us know about it. It would be the next line of action. Unfortunately, the report that I had sent (to INEC HQs) was swept under the carpets. This is one of the most unforgettable experiences I have ever had.”
The dismissed INEC REC said that he was not given a fair hearing and all his evidence to prove what he declared the female candidate was ignored by INEC and the Tribunal.
Hudu said that he is consulting with his family on the next line of action, whether to or not take a legal redress in court.
He said his sack by the President did not bother him but the media trial has dented his image. He denied collecting N2bn from any politician. (Guardian)
