Issued in Abuja, @2pm on 7th February 2025
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) welcomes President Bola Tinubu’s request to the Senate and the Senate’s approval and sacking of the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of Abia, Adamawa and Sokoto States – Mr. Ike Uzochukwu, Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, and Dr. Nura Ali, respectively.
These RECs had been accused of electoral infringements and should have been long removed by the Senate in accordance with the powers given to the Senate to remove Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials with proven cases of abuse of office.
Situation Room also welcomes the prosecution of Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo and the findings of the Court in Akwa Ibom State leading to his conviction for electoral malpractice. These two actions mark a significant milestone in holding election officials to account.
Though the sack of the RECs was late in coming, it is nevertheless a significant move by the government to hold election officials to account. The conviction of Professor Uduk also represents a major effort to hold persons who commit electoral offences to account. Commendations go to the then Akwa Ibom REC, Barrister Mike Igini, for ensuring that the provisions of the Electoral Act on electoral offences are not only upheld but also that violations are prosecuted.
It is important that as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu and his administration should take the front seat in implementing electoral reforms that will help improve the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, including implementing long-recommended reforms on independent appointment of INEC officials and creation of the Electoral Offences Commission, among others.
SIGNED:
Yunusa Z. Ya’u
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Franklin Oloniju
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Mimidoo Achakpa
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
————————-
The Situation Room is made up of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible elections and governance in Nigeria numbering more than seventy. The Steering Committee is made up of: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly Alliance for Credible Elections, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), DIG Ebonyi, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Life And Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), Rural Youth Initiative, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) and Josemaria Escriva Foundation.
————————-
Call/WhatsApp: 09032999919, 09095050505.
E-mail: situationroom@placng.org
Social Media
- Twitter/Instagram: @SituationRoomNg
- Facebook: Situation Room Nigeria
- Website: www.situationroom.org