- By Kamil Opeyemi
“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).
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday asked the Inspector General of Police, to order the immediate arrest of the sacked Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa state Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari.
Ari, NPO Reports, had declared the result of an inconclusive election where he announced the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Aisha Binani, as the winner.
The party said delay in the trial will create bad precedence and encourage impunity
Addressing journalists in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said Ari must be prosecuted.
“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”.
He said the action of Yunusa Ari amounted to a “civilian coup” which tried to undermine the nation’s sovereignty. Ologunagba said the development triggered serious crisis in Adamawa State and threatened national peace and security.
“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. The failure of the Nigerian police so far to apprehend and bring Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari to justice is capable of creating a bad precedence and encourage other public officers to act with impunity, behaving as if there are no consequences for acts contrary to law and their Oath of Office. The PDP therefore charges the Inspector General of Police to, in compliance with the Order of Court, immediately fish out, arrest and bring Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari before the Court for prosecution.
“This is especially as there are allegations and apprehension in the public space that Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari has perfected plans to escape from the country and evade trial. The PDP insists that Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari must be made to face the full wrath of the law for his assault against our democracy. Thank you for listening and God bless Nigeria.”