Adamawa Guber Tribunal Summons Suspended REC, DSS Deputy Director

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

 The Adamawa State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Yola, the state capital, has summoned the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC), Mr. Hudu Yinusa Ari; the Deputy Director of the Department of the State Services (DSS), Aminu Suleiman and the INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Zuru.

 Ari and Zuru were allegedly beaten up by angry voters in Yola for allegedly aiding the announcement of the discredited results.

They are to appear before the tribunal this week Thursday July 13.

Also, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Umar Ardo, who submitted seven prayers for determination, wants the election to be annulled due to non-compliance with electoral laws.

 According to a copy of the tribunal document made available to THISDAY, Ardo wants the tribunal to determine: “Whether or not the petitioners’ petition complied with the provision of the Electoral Act 2022?

“Whether the harassment and violence against government officials: INEC National Commissioner and Official of the Department of State Security during the collation of the result of the Adamawa State governorship election on 15 April 2023 and 16 April 2023 did not compromise the result that INEC declared and so renders petition to be set aside?

“Whether the decision by INEC to nullify the result of the Adamawa State Governorship election declared by INEC on 16 April 2023 was not made in breach of due process and liable to be set aside?” among other prayers.

Ardo also wants the governorship election conducted by the 1st respondent (INEC), on March 18, 2023 and the supplementary held on April 15, 2023 in Adamawa State be declared invalid for reason of corrupt practices (threat, violence and alleged bribery) or non-compliance with the provisions of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

Also, the SDP wants an order of the tribunal directing the INEC to conduct a fresh governorship election in the state.