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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Few days after the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, vowed to crack down on negligent staff of the commission, the Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Nura Ali, has been suspended indefinitely.
At a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday, Yakubu had issued a stern warning to officials of the commission, vowing that some of them would not be part of Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections over actions tantamount to misconduct.
“As we approach the governorship and state assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians.
“All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation and returning officers (ROs), must not be involved in forthcoming elections,” he had said.
In a letter dated March 6, 2023, and signed by Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC notified Ali of his suspension and directed the administrative secretary of the commission in the state, Hauwa’u Kangiwa, to take full charge of its office in Sokoto State with immediate effect.
“This is to inform you of the commission’s decision that you, Dr Nura Ali, Resident Electoral Commissioner, to stay away from the commission’s office in Sokoto State immediately until further notice
“The Administrative Secretary is directed to take full charge of INEC, Sokoto State office with immediate effect,” the letter read.
In another letter, Kangiwa was asked to liaise with the Supervisory National Commissioner, Professor Muhammad Sani Kala, for further clarifications.
“Please note that a National Commissioner (Major Gen. A. B. Alkali) and four (4) senior officials (names attached) are deployed to your state to assist you in the preparations and conduct of the forthcoming Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Election,” it read.
Although none of the letters stated the reason for the action against the REC, sources told Daily Trust that it was as a result of the conduct of INEC officials under Ali during the presidential and national assembly elections in the state.
The elections in Sokoto were marred by several hitches such that aside from the presidential election result, which was won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the national assembly elections were declared inconclusive, including those of the three senatorial districts.
The main opposition party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC), had alleged that the PDP connived with some staff of the commission to rig the election.
The elections were the first to be conducted by the REC since his appointment last year.
Commenting on the development that led to the removal of the REC, a source told the medium: “You know a lot of hitches were recorded during the last elections; late arrival of materials at polling units and improper conduct of poorly trained ad hoc staff.
“And you know Sokoto is a very difficult state when it comes to the conduct of elections. The state requires a highly experienced and capable hand to manage its elections. The controversy during the last election is the major reason the REC was asked to step down while a highly experienced team was deployed to manage governorship and other elections in the state.”
A senior INEC official, who pleaded anonymity, as he was not authorised to publicly comment on the matter, said the REC was left to conduct the elections alone by all the staff of the commission due to his leadership style.
“It was authoritatively learnt that the Sokoto REC was acting like a sole administrator and this led to the break down of administrative structure of INEC in the state.
“For instance, there was no results of National Assembly elections in Sokoto State, as the staff in the state refused to work with him, due to his high-handedness,” he said.
It was also learnt that the suspended Sokoto State REC did not show remorse or give satisfactory explanation on the failure under his watch.
“There are other reasons that the commission does not have option than to ask the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, to take full charge with immediate effect so the coming governorship and state assembly elections would be successful,” the source said
According to the medium, members of the redeployed team are already in the state.