The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to call the attention of “the appointing authority’’ to the unwholesome behaviour of Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the commission in respect of the Adamawa State governorship supplementary election .
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Prof. Yakubu made this request after a meeting of its management in Abuja on Tuesday.
Going by the constitution, the appointing authority refers to the President who is empowered to appoint INEC commissioners as provided by section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The section provides that: “Except in the case of ex officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the chairman and members of any of the bodies so established shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.’’
To remove a REC, the President (Muhammadu Buhari) can only act on an address by a two-thirds majority of the Senate in accordance with section 6(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.