By Seyi Odewale
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his request to the Senate to terminate the appointments of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners of Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto States over alleged gross misconduct in the 2023 general elections.
Oyintiloye, a defunct member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said the sacking of the RECs was a clear signal of the President’s desire to sanitise the country’s electoral system.
The APC chieftain, who said this while speaking with journalists yesterday in Osogbo, also commended the Senate for granting the President’s request to sack the suspended RECs.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the President’s request to the Senate to sack the affected RECs and the subsequent approval by the Red Chamber were significant steps toward electoral reform.
He said that sacking the RECs would be a strong warning to others that bribery and corruption would not be allowed in the country’s electoral system.
Oyintiloye said that sacking the suspended RECs would restore electorate confidence in the country’s electoral processes and ensure accountability.
“I want to commend the President for the bold step of terminating the appointments of the suspended RECs. That indicates that the President is keen to give the country a free, fair, and credible election that Nigerians will be proud of.
“The suspension and termination of the appointments of the three RECs, Ike Uzochukwu (Abia), Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa), and Nura Ali (Sokoto), will serve as a deterrent to other RECs who have similar traits of corruption.
“The President has promised to fight corruption, and this will serve as a lesson to other public servants that the country is moving forward,” he said.
Oyintiloye also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for suspending disciplinary action against the RECs in March 2023.
The APC chieftain recalled that Yunusa-Ari was suspended for unlawfully usurping the Returning Officer’s role in the Adamawa governorship election and making an un-authorised declaration of results.
He said that Ali and Uzochukwu were suspended for dereliction of duty, and Ali also faced prosecution over bribery allegations.
Oyintiloye also commended INEC for convicting Prof. Ignatius Udok of electoral fraud, adding that “this shows the commission’s commitment to electoral integrity.”
He said that the sentencing of Udok, who was the Collation /Returning Officer for Essien Udim State Constituency seat in the 2019 general election, by an Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, was a strong signal that the country’s electrical reform is evolving.
Oyintiloye, however, urged the President not to relent in his fight against corruption, adding that the fight has started yielding positive results.
