Senate Greenlights Tinubu’s Request To Fire Three INEC RECs Amid Growing Tensions

The Nigerian Senate has granted approval for President Bola Tinubu’s request to dismiss three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The approval came on Wednesday during plenary after President Tinubu submitted a letter to the Senate, requesting the immediate removal of the suspended RECs from Sokoto, Adamawa, and Abia States.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter during the session, which listed the suspended RECs as Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto).

Following the request, the Senate proceeded to approve the termination of the appointments of the three RECs.

Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, who sponsored the motion, referred to Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which grants the Senate the authority to approve such decisions. He highlighted that the RECs were suspended in 2023 due to allegations of violations of the Electoral Act, electoral compromise, and abandonment of duties without valid justification.

The Senate invoked the necessary constitutional provisions and approved the termination of their appointments. The President is expected to propose nominees to fill the vacancies in the near future.