Just In: Arrest And Prosecute Former Adamawa INEC REC, Ari Immediately – PDP Urges IGP

Just In: Arrest And Prosecute Former Adamawa INEC REC, Ari Immediately – PDP Urges IGP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the sacked Ex-Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari.

The party claimed that Hudu attempted to install an illegal government in Adamawa State.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this in a press conference, in Abuja, yesterday.

He insisted that Ari’s action amounted to a “civilian coup” which tried to undermine the nation’s sovereignty, triggered serious crisis in Adamawa State and threatened national peace and security.

He subsequently called on the Inspector General of police to arrest and bring Ari before the court of law.

He said, “You may recall that Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari brazenly attempted to subvert our nation’s constitutional democratic rule by trying to install an illegal government in Adamawa State in violation of Section 1(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Nigerians can still remember how Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari on Sunday, April 16, 2023, recklessly attempted to override the Will of the people of Adamawa State in the Saturday, April 15, 2023 election by illegally declaring the candidate of the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner while collation of results was on-going.

“For emphasis, Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides;

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

“You may also recall that since after his removal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the declaration of Governor Ahmed Fintiri at the end of collation as the lawful and duly elected Governor of Adamawa State, Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari has been on the run.

“However, time they say, does not run against the State in criminal matters. Such subversive conduct cannot go unpunished and our Party is determined to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

“Nigerians are invited to note that the High Court of Justice of Adamawa State, No. 9, Yola Division has issued a Warrant of Arrest of Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari dated May 21, 2024, wherein it ordered the Inspector General of Police to apprehend and produce Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari to appear before it to answer to the charges preferred against him.

“The said Order of Court was received at the Office of the Inspector General of Police on May 23, 2024.

“The delay in the prompt and diligent prosecution of Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari for his alleged criminal conduct constitutes a clear and present danger to our Democracy and the Rule of Law that nobody is above the law.”