Breaking News: President Bola Tinubu Orders Dismissal of INEC RECs from Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto Over Election Misconduct

Breaking News: President Bola Tinubu Orders Dismissal of INEC RECs from Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto Over Election Misconduct


Lagos, Nigeria – In a bold move to uphold electoral integrity, President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate to dismiss three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto states. The decision, which was announced during a Senate plenary session, follows allegations of serious misconduct during the 2023 general elections.



Allegations and Justifications

The affected officials are Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa), and Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto). The Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is expected to deliberate on the request and take swift action.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, outlined the reasons behind the proposed dismissals. Dr. Nura Ali was indicted by security agencies for allegedly compromising the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through corruption and incompetence. Reports from the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed that he confessed to receiving $150,000 from politicians.

Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for unlawfully declaring the Adamawa governorship election results, usurping the role of the Returning Officer. Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu was suspended for mishandling election logistics, abandoning the governorship and state assembly elections, and failing to reschedule supplementary elections.



Senate's Response and Next Steps

The Senate cited Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the President, acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, for inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct. The motion was unanimously approved when put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Senate has now forwarded its resolution to President Tinubu, who will take final action on the terminations. This move is seen as a significant step towards reinforcing the integrity of public offices and deterring misconduct in future elections.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions from the public and political analysts. While some applaud the administration's commitment to fighting corruption, others express concerns about the potential impact on the electoral process and the need for more stringent vetting procedures for INEC appointments.

Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has urged the Senate to review its confirmation procedure to ensure due diligence in vetting candidates for INEC positions. The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, emphasized the importance of appointing competent and capable individuals to INEC positions to ensure the commission's effectiveness.

President Bola Tinubu's request to sack the three suspended RECs underscores the administration's dedication to upholding electoral integrity and accountability. As the Senate deliberates on the request, the nation watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will strengthen the electoral process and restore public trust in the electoral system.

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