The Adamawa State Government has dismissed as false the recent claim by sacked Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, that Senator Aisha Binani won the 2023 governorship election in the state.

In a statement on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Solomon Kumangar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, criticized Ari’s repeated assertion, stating that the former REC lacked the legal authority to declare any election result.

“The provisions of the Electoral Act are clear—only a returning officer, an ad-hoc staff of INEC, can announce election results. Hudu Ari’s claim is nothing but a desperate attempt to rewrite history,” Kumangar stated.

He added that Ari, who is currently a fugitive, has never provided any proof of his claim, noting that the ex-REC’s actions in 2023 violated his oath of office.

“Hudu was caught on tape soliciting support for a candidate and falsely claiming he had directives from above. Yet, he has failed to provide any evidence backing his illegal declaration,” Kumangar said.
The government also challenged Ari to come out of hiding and face the legal consequences of his actions, as there is an ongoing case against him at the Adamawa State High Court.

“Rather than spreading falsehood, Hudu should present himself before the court. If he truly believes in his claims, he has an opportunity to prove them legally,” the statement.