The Senate has given its approval for the removal of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Sokoto, Abia, and Adamawa states, following a request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The three RECs, Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto), were suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023 over allegations of electoral malpractices and irregularities during the conduct of elections in their respective states.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the removal of the suspended RECs, citing Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guides the removal of public officers. Bamidele’s motion was in line with President Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of the suspended RECs, which was presented to the Senate for approval.After deliberations, the motion was adopted through a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, paving the way for the removal of the suspended Recs.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro expressed support for the removal, stating that it would serve as a deterrent to those holding public offices and reinforce the administration’s commitment to fighting corruption. Moro emphasized that the removal of the suspended RECs demonstrates the government’s resolve to hold public officers accountable for their actions and ensure that they uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno noted that the Senate had the required two-thirds majority to approve the motion, with 91 senators present during the session.
Monguno emphasized the importance of upholding Section 157(1) of the constitution, which guides the removal of public officers, and commended his colleagues for their commitment to constitutional compliance.
Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, has urged the Senate to review its confirmation procedure to ensure due diligence in vetting candidates for INEC positions and prevent similar cases of misconduct in the future.
Itodo emphasized the need for appointing competent and capable individuals to INEC positions, citing the suspended RECs as examples of the consequences of appointing unqualified or compromised individuals to sensitive positions. Yiaga Africa has called on President Tinubu to ensure that future INEC appointments adhere to constitutional requirements, prioritizing non-partisanship, integrity, and merit, to restore public trust in the electoral process.
Source : Source : https://dailytrust.com/l
