The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to officially terminate the appointments of the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Sokoto, Abia, and Adamawa states.
The affected officials include Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto), Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa), and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia). The decision followed a motion presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during plenary on Wednesday.
President Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged the Senate to invoke Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to remove the suspended RECs, citing allegations of electoral infractions, misconduct, and abandonment of duties.
Bamidele, in his submission, highlighted security reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), which indicted the officials for various electoral malpractices.
According to the reports, Dr. Nura Ali was accused of compromising the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections and allegedly confessed to receiving $150,000 from politicians. Hudu Yunusa Ari was previously suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari after declaring the Adamawa governorship election results in usurpation of the Returning Officer’s authority. Meanwhile, Prof. Uzochukwu was found guilty of mishandling election logistics and abandoning the governorship and state assembly elections.
The Senate’s approval clears the path for their formal removal, as required by law, reinforcing the government’s commitment to electoral integrity and accountability.
