Inspector General (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba
IGP Baba removes Adamawa CP over INEC invitation to prosecute state’s REC
Inspector General (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the pull out of the Adamawa Police Commissioner, Mohammed Barde from the state ‘with immediate effect.’
A confirmation issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Tuesday, also disclosed that following Barde’s suspension, the IGP Baba has also directed the immediate redeployment of the Gombe State police commissioner, Etim Equa to Adamawa.
The suspension of CP Barde may not be unconnected with the role he reportedly played in the illegal declaration of Senator (Mrs ) Aisha Dahiru (Binani), last Sunday, as governor-elect in the ongoing Adamawa governorship supplementary elections, even while results were still being collated.
Barde accompanied the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari to the Adamawa State Governorship Election Collation Centre, and sat beside the embattled INEC chief while the latter declared Senator Dahiru as winner, last Sunday, in Yola
Rising from its scheduled meeting of commissioners and other senior management at its headquarters in Abuja, Tuesday, INEC said it has written the Inspector-General Baba to prosecute its REC Ari for illegally declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Binani as winner.
A statement issued by INEC, Tuesday, via its Twitter handle (@inecnigeria) also said it had asked the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, to address the ‘unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.’
“At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:
“1. Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.
“2. Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.
“3. The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.
“Detailed official statement will follow shortly,” the statement read.
Police spokesperson, Adejobi, while addressing newsmen, Tuesday at the Force Headquarters, in Abuja, said the IGP is committed to a free and fair process.
“The IGP has given directive that the commissioner of police on election security in Adamawa State, CP Barde should pull out of Adamawa State and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa to proceed to Adamawa immediately, to go and supervise election and provide necessary information and ensure that the process is a success,” the police spokesperson said.
Adejobi also said the IGP has yet to receive any letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the probe and prosecution of its embattled REC in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari.
