BREAKING: Senate Backs Tinubu’s Request to Dismiss Sokoto, Abia, Adamawa RECs

The Senate on Wednesday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) overseeing Sokoto, Abia, and Adamawa States.

The affected RECs are Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa), and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia). The decision followed a motion presented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele during the plenary session.

Tinubu’s request, conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sought Senate approval to officially remove the RECs, who had been under suspension since 2023 due to allegations of electoral misconduct.

Presenting the motion, Bamidele noted that security reports from the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS) implicated the officials in various infractions:
Dr. Nura Ali was accused of compromising the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through incompetence and corruption, allegedly admitting to receiving $150,000 from politicians.

Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for unlawfully declaring the governorship election result in Adamawa, a duty reserved for the Returning Officer.
Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu was accused of mismanaging election logistics, abandoning the Governorship and State Assembly elections, and failing to reschedule supplementary elections.

Citing Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates Senate approval for the removal of certain public officials, Bamidele emphasized that the legislative process was necessary to uphold the rule of law and electoral integrity.

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Following deliberations, the Senate approved the motion through a voice vote conducted by Senate President Akpabio, endorsing the official removal of the three RECs.