President Bola Tinubu has been commended by Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a well-known member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, for firing three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on suspicion of wrongdoing during the general elections in 2023.
The ruling has an impact on Ike Uzochukwu from Abia, Hudu Yunusa-Ari from Adamawa, and Nura Ali from Sokoto, who are all Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
Speaking to media in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye also thanked the Senate for granting the President’s request to release the RECs who had been suspended.
He underlined that firing these RECs will discourage others, encourage responsibility, and contribute to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s electoral system.
“The President deserves praise for taking the audacious decision to revoke the suspended RECs’ appointments.
The president is demonstrating his desire for a free, fair, and credible election that Nigerians can be proud of by this action.
RECs with comparable characteristics will be discouraged by the suspension and termination of the appointments of Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto).
He stated that the President’s pledge to combat corruption will serve as a reminder to fellow public servants that the nation is progressing.
Former lawmaker Oyintiloye spoke highly of INEC’s disciplinary actions against the RECs in March 2023.
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The APC leader recalled that Yunusa-Ari was suspended for unlawfully assuming the role of
Returning Officer during the Adamawa Governorship election and for making an unauthorized announcement of results.
He stated that Ali and Uzochukwu were suspended for doing their jobs carelessly, and that Ali was being sued for alleged bribery.
Oyintiloye also praised INEC for holding Prof. Ignatius Udok accountable for election fraud, saying that this shows the commission’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity.
According to him, the fact that Udok, the Returning Officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency in the 2019 general elections, was sentenced by an Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo is a major sign that the nation’s electoral reforms are making headway.
However, Oyintiloye urged the President to continue his efforts against corruption, emphasizing that these initiatives are beginning to produce positive outcomes.
