The Nigerian Senate has granted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) over allegations of misconduct. The affected RECs are Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto), Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa), and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia).
The Senate’s approval followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during plenary. President Tinubu had requested the Senate to invoke Section 157 (1) of the Constitution to formally terminate the appointments of the suspended RECs.
According to reports, the three RECs were suspended in 2023 over allegations of infractions of the Electoral Act, compromise of elections, and abandonment of duty without cogent reasons. Dr. Nura Ali was specifically indicted for compromising the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections through acts of incompetence and corruption.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had reportedly investigated Dr. Ali and found him guilty of receiving $150,000 from politicians. Hudu Yunusa Ari was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for usurping the power of the Returning Officer to declare the governorship election result.
Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu was suspended for undermining election processes by mishandling logistics and abandoning governorship and State Assembly elections. The Senate’s approval of President Tinubu’s request is seen as a move to ensure the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
The removal of the three RECs is also expected to pave the way for the appointment of new commissioners who will oversee the electoral process in their respective states. The development is a significant step in President Tinubu’s efforts to reform the electoral process and ensure free and fair elections in Nigeria.
The Senate’s decision has been widely welcomed by Nigerians who see it as a move to strengthen the country’s democracy. However, some have expressed concerns about the timing of the removal, citing the need for stability in the electoral process.
In a related development, President Tinubu has been commended for taking bold steps to address the challenges facing the electoral process in Nigeria. The President’s commitment to free and fair elections has been widely praised, and the removal of the three RECs is seen as a significant step in achieving this goal.
