Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval to Dismiss Suspended Electoral Commissioners

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s approval to sack three suspended Residents Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Sokoto, Adamawa, and Abia states, following allegations of misconduct during the 2023 general elections.

The request was conveyed in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, which was read aloud during Wednesday’s plenary session. The RECs in question are Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto). These individuals had been suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior to President Tinubu’s assumption of office, with the suspension stemming from alleged electoral misconduct.

In the letter, President Tinubu highlighted that the three officials had been suspended as early as March 2022, before his administration took office. He urged the Senate to consider the request for their removal promptly, assuring lawmakers of his highest regard.

In addition to this request, President Tinubu also proposed an increase in the 2025 national budget, asking the Senate to raise the figure from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion. Senate President Akpabio directed the budget request to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations for swift consideration.

The Senate now awaits to decide on both the proposal to dismiss the suspended RECs and the budget increase request.