We don’t know the whereabout of suspended Adamawa REC - INEC

Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that they do not know the whereabouts of suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari.

This comes following the controversy he ignited during the supplementary governorship election in the state.

During the supplementary election in Adamawa, Hudu Ari announced the results despite collation was yet to be concluded.

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Friday, April 21, the
INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said;

“We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.

“We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts.”

When asked if Mr Ari will be declared wanted for refusing to report to the Commission or answer it calls, Okoye said;

“Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted.”

According to Okoye the Commission has received a report from the Inspector General of Police and has begin the process of prosecuting the Adamawa REC.

The INEC National Commissioner said;

“We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation.

“My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the commission and the commission will begin prosecution of the REC.”