Oyintiloye hails Tinubu for terminating appointments of erring RECs

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended President Bola Tinubu for requesting the Senate to terminate the appointments of three suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto States, who were accused of gross misconduct during the 2023 general elections.

Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), stated that the dismissal of the RECs was a clear indication of the President’s commitment to reforming the country’s electoral system.

Speaking to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye also praised the Senate for approving the President’s request to sack the RECs, calling it a significant step towards electoral reform.

He emphasized that the dismissal would serve as a strong warning to others, ensuring that bribery and corruption are not tolerated in the country’s electoral system. He also noted that this move would help restore confidence in the electoral process and ensure accountability.

“I want to commend the President for the bold step of terminating the appointments of the suspended RECs. This shows the President’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections that Nigerians can be proud of,” Oyintiloye said.

“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 may 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 added.

Oyintiloye also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking disciplinary action against the RECs, following their suspension in March 2023.

He recalled that Yunusa-Ari was suspended for unlawfully usurping the Returning Officer’s role during the Adamawa governorship election and making an unauthorized result declaration, while Ali and Uzochukwu were suspended for dereliction of duty, with Ali facing prosecution over bribery allegations.

Oyintiloye lauded INEC for the conviction of Prof. Ignatius Udok for electoral fraud, noting that this demonstrated the commission’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

“The sentencing of Udok, who was the Collation/Returning Officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency seat in the 2019 general election, by an Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, is a strong signal that the country’s electoral reform is progressing,” Oyintiloye said.

He urged President Tinubu to continue his fight against corruption, highlighting that the efforts have already begun yielding positive results.