The 2023 General
Elections have come and gone, but the memories will live with us. We would
remember the good, the bad and the ugly parts of the 2023 General Election
stories.
One of the memories that
will not fade in a hurry is how we witnessed Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Resident
Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State usurp the powers of the Returning
Officer (RO) in the Governorship Elections of the State.
On April 16 2023, after
the Governorship Election of Adamawa State was earlier declared inconclusive
and supplementary elections were conducted, the REC of Adamawa State declared
that the winner of the election was Aisha Binani of the All Progressive
Congress (APC). Not only was he usurping the Returning Officer's powers by
making this declaration, he did it without recourse to any of the figures of
the election results.
Of course, INEC released
a Press Statement to the effect that the declaration was null and void and the
RO later declared the results of the election and returned Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election. Mr
Yunusa-Ari was arrested after his suspension by INEC.
However, the problem was
not in the correction of this anomaly. Rather, it is in the unrepentant heart
of Mr Yunusa-Ari who was later reported to have said that, he does not regret
making the declaration.
Like Yunusa-Ari, we all
have sinned. But unlike him, we shouldn't pride ourselves in those sins and
turn a blind eye to the remorseful spirit in us that is calling us unto
salvation. Instead, we should run to God in total submission and a broken
spirit fueled by repentance.
Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours,
and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be
forgiven you. Acts 8:22 (ESV).
God cannot help us if we
are unrepentant like Yunusa-Ari. God exalts the humble and the proud one He
will oppose. Then I ask you, what pride could be greater than celebrating your
sin? What could be worse, Yunusa-Ari knew it was illegal but still went
ahead to do it brazenly. But God does not want this for us.
For if we go on sinning deliberately after
receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for
sins. Hebrews 10:26 (ESV).
Do not be like
Yunusa-Ari. The best way to choose not to be like Yunusa-Ari is to confess your
sins and repent of them and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. All you need
is to believe and say the words with your mouth and it is done. If you want to
tread this path of salvation, with belief in your heart, say, "Lord Jesus,
I believe in your birth, death and resurrection. I accept you as my Lord and
Saviour today. Cleanse me of my sins. Amen". Hallelujah! You are saved.
Find a Bible-believing church close to you to and join to develop your life as
a Christian.
Marvellous Monday Esq.
is a Legal Practitioner, based in Abuja, Nigeria. He can be reached at marvellousatlaw@gmail.com.
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