The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered and effected a replacement of the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in charge of Sokoto State, Dr. Nura Ali, with the commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, ahead of the governorship and House of Assembly elections across the nation.
This information is found in a letter from the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, dated March 6, 2023, and addressed to the Commission’s office in the state.
In a recent meeting with state RECs to prepare for the upcoming Governorship elections, Ireport247 learned that the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, made a public commitment to deal with any staff member or special staff members who were responsible for the commission’s failures during the failed Presidential election; before the next round of elections nationwide.
The commission in the state ordered the REC to resign from office immediately till further notice; according to the letter that was provided.
According to the letter with number: INEC/SCE/ 442/V.II, “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 the state immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary is directed to take full charge of INEC office in Sokoto State with immediate effect.”
The commission ordered Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, the State’s Administrative Secretary, to assume complete control of the commission with immediate effect in a separate letter.
Until otherwise instructed by the commission, Hauwa was instructed in the other letter—signed by the same Commission Secretary—to assume complete responsibility for all administrative and election-related matters that are now in progress.
Also, the letter instructed her to communicate with Professor Muhammad Sani Kaita, the Supervisory National Commissioner, for additional clarifications as needed.
According to information obtained by Ireport247, the National Assembly and Presidential elections were conducted improperly; as evidenced by the majority of the National Assembly results being deemed inconclusive.
Additional material was acquired, including the fact that the state’s opposition party petitioned INEC to suspend the REC prior to the Governorship election there. Arguing that they will not receive fair treatment if the REC presided over the poll.
In the meantime, the coalition of four political parties in Sokoto State has urged all political figures to respect peace during the upcoming Governorship election.
In a joint press conference at Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) press centre in Sokoto, the Governorship candidates of Social Democratic party (SDP), Senator Abubakar Gada; Labour Party (LP), Aminu Umar; New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sen Dahiru Tambuwal, and Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dr. Ibrahim Liman, all said the call became necessary due to unfortunate utterances and attempt to justify lawlessness by prominent political stakeholders in the state.
