President Bola Tinubu’s request to remove the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners of Abia, Adamawa, and Sokoto States was approved by the Senate on Wednesday after a motion introduced by Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was approved.
As you may recall, the president had asked the red chamber for permission to remove the suspended RECs due to allegations of groos misconduct, and Bamidele stated that his request was in accordance with section 157(1) of the constitution.
During a discussion of the motion, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro contended that the removal of the resident commissioners would act as a deterrent to those who hold public offices.
“Nigerians have been assured by this administration that corruption will be combated. Because of this, the dismissal will act as a warning to public servants,” he stated.
Tahir Monguno, the Senate’s chief whip, also spoke, stating that the 91 senators in the red chamber on Wednesday were enough (two-thirds) to grant the president’s request.
“This motion’s philosophical foundation is to uphold Section 157(1) of the constitution. We have been called upon to fulfill our responsibilities to safeguard the integrity of public offices,” he stated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who chaired the plenary session, put the motion to a voice vote, and it was approved.