INEC withdraws Abia, Sokoto RECs for ‘endangering electoral process’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn Ike Uzochukwu, the Abia state resident electoral commissioner (REC), from conducting the March 11 elections.

The REC was said to have endangered the electoral process by bungling logistics arrangements for the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections in the state.

INEC, in a memo on Tuesday, asked the REC to keep away from the governorship and the house of assembly elections in the state.

The commission directed Clement Ohia, the administrative secretary in the state, to immediately take full charge of all its activities in Abia state.

INEC also withdrew Nura Ali, Sokoto REC for failing to make declarations for all the national assembly seats in the state.

 Hauwa Kangiwa, the administrative secretary of the commission in the state has been directed to take charge.  

Confirming the withdrawals of the RECs to TheCable, Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman of voter information and education committee, said the powers delegated to them have been set aside and they have been asked to stay away from the office to allow for electoral continuity.

“The commission will revisit their issues at the conclusion of the governorship and state assembly elections and the supplementary elections,” Okoye said.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, had said officials responsible for the infractions in the presidential election would not be involved in the gubernatorial poll.

Yakubu said it was imperative for the commission to review performances from the election and assess preparation for the forthcoming polls.

He also asked RECs to immediately initiate disciplinary action where evidence of wrongdoing has been established.