Tinubu seeks senate approval to sack suspended electoral commissioners

President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s approval to dismiss the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto States.

The request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and was read out during the plenary session on Wednesday.

The RECs in question— Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto)—were accused of misconduct during the 2023 general elections.

In his letter, President Tinubu clarified that the RECs had been suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before he assumed office over a year ago, highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding their conduct.

The letter reads in part: “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.

“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.”