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INEC sacks Cross River REC for using premises to declare gubernatorial ambition

By Sodiq Omolaoye
10 August 2019   |   4:05 am
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has terminated the appointment of its Cross River Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Frankland Briyai...

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has terminated the appointment of its Cross River Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Frankland Briyai, for using the commission’s premises to declare intention to contest for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State.

This was disclosed by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

Briyai had on Thursday resigned his appointment with INEC to join the Bayelsa governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okoye said although Briyai made his declaration at the Commission’s Cross River State office in Calabar, he did not follow due process as the Commission was yet to receive any communication from him.

He said resignation of such appointment, according to Section 306(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria takes effect on receipt of the letter of resignation by Mr. President.

According to him, “While it is the right of any Commissioner or official of the Commission to resign his or her appointment and join any political party of his/her choice and to aspire for any office or position, INEC frowns at the use of its premises or facilities for any political purpose as this is unlawful and contrary to the Code of Conduct subscribed to by all its officials.

“Following his declaration, the Commission has relieved Dr. Briyai of his duties as a Resident Electoral Commissioner and withdrawn all powers delegated to him.
“Consequently, the Administrative Secretary of Cross River State has been directed to oversee the office and take-over the functions and duties of the REC until further notice.”

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