CSO applauds INEC, Tinubu over sack of suspended RECs

The decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Adamawa, Sokoto, and Abia states of their jobs for partisanship during the last general election is a step towards restoring public trust in the country’s electoral process.

The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) stated this in a statement on Friday, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu for the decisive action in terminating the appointments of the trio.

PAACA’s Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, described the development as a significant step towards ensuring accountability and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Ezenwa said Tinubu’s formal request to the Senate for the termination of the appointments of Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa REC), Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto REC), and Mr. Ike Uzochukwu (Abia REC) aligns with constitutional oversight provisions and reinforces the need for ethical conduct among election officials. Ezenwa maintained that it is crucial that the dismissed RECs be replaced with individuals who are impartial and free from partisan interests.adding the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process depends on having neutral and competent officials at the helm of election management.

He called on the Senate to exercise due diligence in the confirmation process, ensuring that only individuals of unquestionable integrity are entrusted with these critical positions in INEC.

Ezenwa noted that INEC had taken initial disciplinary action by suspending the three RECs in March 2023 over their alleged misconduct during the general elections.

Yunusa-Ari was suspended for unlawfully usurping the Returning Officer’s role in the Adamawa governorship election and making an unauthorised declaration of results. Ali and Uzochukwu were suspended for dereliction of duty, with Ali also facing prosecution over bribery allegations.

Ezenwa, however, explained the complexity involved in the discipline of personnel of the electoral commission, noting that it took over one year after their suspension before their eventual sack.