•Some RECs failed to perform their tasks lawfully, says Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday accused some Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) who took part in this year’s general election of failing to properly manage the tasks lawfully assigned to them.
The commission said following the completion of police investigation on the activities of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State, Yunusa Hudu Ari, it would take legal actions against him in the coming days as well as 215 other electoral offenders.
Addressing RECs from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the police had concluded their investigations into the Hudu Ari case and submitted a case to the commission.
He said aside the governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states, the commission would conduct four bye-elections before the end of the year.
The meeting with the RECs marked the commencement of a month long review of the conduct of this year’s general election conducted by the commission.
Yakubu said: “Let me at this point specifically reiterate to the Resident Electoral Commissioners that we are commencing these debriefings with you because you are central to the conduct of elections.
“Many of you performed very well during the general election under extremely challenging circumstances. I commend you for that. However, a few of you did not properly manage the tasks lawfully bestowed upon you for which the commission has taken some administrative actions. I urge you to remain loyal to your oath of office.”
Commenting on alleged infractions committed during the elections, he said: “We are presently looking at all the evidence of infractions during the election, including the prosecution of offenders. We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials.
“I can confirm that the Nigeria Police concluded its investigation of the conduct of our Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State and submitted the case file to us. Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed…”
“I can also confirm that we have received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police, following their arrest and the conclusion of investigation into electoral offences arising from the 2023 general election.
“We are working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute the alleged offenders. Already, the NBA has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro bono services to the commission. They are not charging legal fees, but by mutual agreement, the commission will provide a token amount to cover filing fees/expenses.
“Similarly, we are working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on the prosecution of cases relating to vote-buying and associated violations.”
The Nation
