The Nigerian Senate has approved the termination of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners, following allegations of misconduct and breach of the Electoral Act
The Nigerian Senate has approved the termination of the appointments of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for their involvement in alleged misconduct and violation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act.
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The decision followed a request from President Bola Tinubu, who urged the Senate to take action against the embattled officials.
The Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, passed the motion to terminate the appointments of Dr Nura Ali (Sokoto State REC), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State REC), and Professor Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State REC).
The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, who invoked Section 157 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which empowers the Senate to approve such a request.
The commissioners were suspended in 2023 following allegations of infractions of the Electoral Act, including claims of election compromise and abandonment of their duties without valid reasons.
Notably, reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) implicated Dr Nura Ali in a corruption scandal, with confessions of incompetence and accepting bribes of up to $150,000 from politicians.
The Senate’s approval marks a significant step towards addressing issues of corruption and inefficiency within Nigeria’s electoral system, as the nation prepares for future elections and seeks to strengthen its democratic institutions.
