The Senate has officially dismissed three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) following a request from President Bola Tinubu, invoking Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The affected officials, as announced by the Senate Majority Leader, are Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto State REC), Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State REC), and Professor Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State REC).
These individuals had been suspended in 2023 due to allegations of electoral misconduct, including violations of the Electoral Act, election fraud, and neglect of duties.
Security reports from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed that Nura Ali was accused of undermining the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through incompetence and corruption, including a confession of receiving $150,000 from politicians.
Hudu Yunusa Ari had been suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for unlawfully declaring a governorship election result, which was beyond his authority. Uzochukwu was found guilty of mismanaging election logistics, abandoning the Governorship and State Assembly elections, and failing to reschedule supplementary elections.
Citing Section 157(1) of the Constitution, which permits the removal of officials due to incapacity or misconduct, the Senate voted with a two-thirds majority in favor of their dismissal.
In accordance with this decision, the Senate has instructed the Clerk to formally communicate the dismissal to President Tinubu for implementation.
