President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to approve the dismissal of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto states over alleged misconduct during the 2023 general elections.
The affected officials are Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto).
Tinubu’s request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The president noted that the officials had already been placed on suspension by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before he assumed office.
“The Senate is invited to note that the three Resident Electoral Commissioners have been suspended for misconduct since March 2022, before the advent of the current administration,” the letter read.
“While I trust that the Senate will consider this request expeditiously, please accept, distinguished senators and distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
The RECs were suspended following allegations of election-related infractions, including the controversial role played by Hudu Yunusa-Ari in Adamawa, where he unilaterally declared a winner in the governorship election before collation was completed.
With the move to officially relieve them of their positions, Tinubu is expected to forward nominations for their replacements to the Senate in the coming days.