President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval to remove three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged misconduct during the 2023 general elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio conveyed the request in a letter during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The affected commissioners are Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), and Nura Ali (Sokoto).
Background of the suspensions
The three RECs were suspended by INEC in 2023 over allegations of electoral malpractices and irregularities in the conduct of the elections in their respective states.
Mr Yunusa-Ari was suspended on 17 April 2023 after he unilaterally declared Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, as the Adamawa State governorship rerun winner while collation was still ongoing.
His announcement was widely condemned as illegal, and INEC swiftly nullified it. Subsequently, he was charged with unprofessional conduct at the Adamawa State High Court.
Earlier this year, his attempt to halt court proceedings was dismissed for lacking merit.
Mr Ali, the Sokoto electoral commissioner, was suspended on 6 March 2023 through a letter signed by INEC Secretary Rose Orlaran-Anthony.
While INEC did not explicitly state the reasons for his suspension, reports suggested it was linked to alleged irregularities in the conduct of elections in the state.
The Abia REC was also suspended in March 2023 after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state were marred by significant logistical failures. Voting was delayed, and there were reports of irregularities that affected the credibility of the electoral process.
Tinubu’s request to Senate
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu emphasised that the suspensions occurred before his administration took office and requested legislative backing to formally remove the electoral officials.
“The Senate is invited to note that the three resident electoral commissioners have been suspended for misconduct since March 2022 before the advent of the current administration,” he said.
He urged the Senate to handle the matter swiftly and assured lawmakers of his highest consideration.
“While I trust that the senate will consider this request expeditiously, please accept distinguished senators and distinguished senate president, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Afrophobia: Should Nigeria ask South African companies to leave?
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Monday Lines 2 Afrophobia: Should Nigeria ask South African companies to leave? By Lasisi Olagunju (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 6 July, 2026). Jacob Zuma was President of South Africa when he declared on October 21, 2013 that South Africa should not “think like Africans in Africa, generally.” The remark,…
-
Why I did not take Brazil’s penalty against Norway – Vinicius
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Brazil’s hopes of ending their long wait for World Cup glory came to a painful end after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to eliminate the five-time champions. The aftermath of the defeat was dominated by questions over why Vinicius Júnior did not…
-
Blatter questions ‘political power’ after Trump’s FIFA phone call
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday he questioned the football governing body’s decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card ban. Sources told AFP US President Donald Trump had called FIFA’s current chief Gianni Infantino to ask FIFA to review Balogun’s automatic one-game suspension. The 25-year-old is now…
