Senate Approves Tinubu’s Dismissal of Three RECs

Tinubu’s Request to Remove Three RECs Granted by Senate

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The affected RECs are Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto State), Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa State), and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State).

This decision follows allegations of gross misconduct against the officials. Dr. Nura Ali was accused of compromising the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through acts of incompetence and corruption, reportedly confessing to receiving $150,000 from politicians. Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari faced allegations of usurping the power of the Returning Officer to declare election results, while Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu was accused of undermining election processes by mishandling logistics and abandoning his duties during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

The Senate’s approval was in response to President Tinubu’s letter requesting the invocation of Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for the removal of INEC officials for misconduct. This move underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring accountability within INEC.