The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has described the sack of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia States by President Bola Tinubu as a good omen towards the 2027 general election.
The northern group said with the sack of the electoral commissioners there will be no room for electoral malpractices in the 2027 election.
Chief convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu in a conversation with LEADERSHIP at the weekend described Tinubu’s action as a step towards restoring public trust in the nation’s electoral process.
He also said the action against the sacked commissioners will sanitise the electoral system.
Tinubu had, penultimate week, asked the Senate to approve the termination of the suspended RECs’ appointments, in accordance with the constitution.
“We at Arewa Think Tank want to say that the action of President Tinubu is a reflection of commitment of his administration to strengthening electoral integrity in the country.
“We also want to applaud the recent conviction of Ignatius Uduk, a former electoral official found guilty of fraud during the 2019 elections. This will serve as a deterrent to others in subsequent general elections in the country.
“From the action of Mr. President, individuals working for the system must be ready to account for their actions, either negatively or positively. The confidence in the INEC will be restored and citizens can have faith in the fairness and transparency of future elections.”
Yakubu called on security agencies and political parties to enforce internal disciplinary measures against those engaging in electoral misconduct while emphasizing the importance of following due process in maintaining the credibility of the electoral system.
He said INEC’s decision to investigate and follow proper procedures demonstrated commitment to integrity and transparency towards upholding the highest standards of integrity in its operations, which is crucial in building public trust in the electoral process.
“We believe that adhering to due process ensures that actions taken are justified and transparent.
in turn, reinforces the credibility of the electoral system, as decisions are based on established norms and legal frameworks rather than arbitrary judgment.
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to the leadership of INEC to work closely with Judges of high integrity in dispatching electoral cases before the courts jurisdiction for quick delivery of judgments because as it is said, judgment delay is judgment denied” Yakubu said.
