The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Sokoto State, Dr. Nura Ali, with immediate effect.
The suspension which comes four days before the governorship elections was announced in a letter signed by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Orlaran-Anthony, on Monday, March 6, 2023, addressed to both the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Administrative Secretary in the state.
INEC further directed the administrative secretary in the state to take full charge with immediate effects.
It will be recalled that INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, recently in a meeting with states REC vowed to deal with any official of the commission who contributed to the shortcomings of the presidential election.
According to the letter, the commission directs the REC to stay away from office immediately until further notice.
The letter with no INEC/SCE/442/V.II read, “This is to inform you of the commission’s decision for you (Dr Nura Ali), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sokoto State, to stay away from the commission’s office in Sokoto state immediately until furthermore notice.
“The administrative secretary is directed to take full charge of INEC, Sokoto State office with immediate effects ”
The commission directs the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, to take full charge of the commission in the state with immediate effect. The commission also directs Hauwa to take full responsibility of all administrative and election pending when the commission directs otherwise.
The letter further directed her to liaise with the Supervisory National Commissioner, Professor Muhammad Sani Kaita for further clarifications when necessary.
