By Tgnews
In a significant move, the Senate has approved the dismissal of three Resident Electoral Commissioners, including Hudu Yunusa-Ari of Adamawa State, Nura Ali of Sokoto, and Professor Ikemefuna Uzochukwu of Abia.
The decision comes after a formal request from President Bola Tinubu, who urged the Senate to terminate their appointments due to alleged violations of the Electoral Act.
The affected RECs were previously suspended in 2023 over various allegations, including electoral infractions, compromise of election results, and dereliction of duty. Hudu Yunusa-Ari was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for illegally declaring a governorship election result, while Nura Ali was accused of compromising the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through incompetence and corruption. Professor Ikemefuna Uzochukwu was alleged to have mishandled logistics and election processes, and abandoned his duty during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Hudu Yunusa-Ari was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari for illegally declaring a governorship election result
The Senate’s decision was made after a motion was moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, invoking Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Senate the authority to approve such dismissals. The motion secured the signatures of 91 senators, surpassing the required two-thirds majority.
According to reports, Nura Ali confessed to accepting $150,000 from politicians during a DSS investigation. The Senate emphasized that the decision aligns with the 10th Senate’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, electoral integrity, and good governance. Following deliberations, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a voice vote, after which it was unanimously approved.
