The Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Sokoto, Abia, and Adamawa states. The decision was made during a plenary session where the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for their dismissal.
The suspended RECs—Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto)—were previously suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023 due to alleged electoral malpractices.
Senator Bamidele stated that the request aligns with Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution. In support of the motion, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro emphasized that the termination serves as a deterrent to public officials engaged in corruption.
Senator Tahir Monguno confirmed that the Senate had the two-thirds majority required for the approval, reinforcing the need to protect the integrity of public office.
In light of these developments, Yiaga Africa has called for a review of the Senate’s confirmation procedures to ensure thorough vetting of candidates for INEC positions, stressing the importance of appointing qualified individuals to enhance the effectiveness of the electoral body.
