The Independent National Electoral Commission has directed the Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commission, Dr Nura Ali, to stay away from the commission with four days until the governorship and House of Assembly elections across the country.
The directive was contained in a letter signed by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and addressed to the commission’s Sokoto State office on Monday.
INEC also directed the state administrative secretary to assume full control with immediate effect.
It will be recalled that INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, recently in a meeting with states REC vowed to deal with any official of the commission who contributed to the shortcomings of the presidential election.
According to the letter which was made available to our correspondent by a source in the commission in the state, the commission directs the REC to stay away from office immediately until further notice.
The letter with no INEC/SCE/442/V.II read, “This is to inform you of the commission’s decision for you (Dr Nura Ali), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sokoto State, to stay away from the commission’s office in Sokoto state immediately until furthermore notice.
“The administrative secretary is directed to take full charge of INEC, Sokoto State office with immediate effects ”
In a separate letter sighted by our correspondent, the commission directs the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, to take full charge of the commission in the state with immediate effect.
The commission directs Hauwa to take full responsibility of all administrative and election pending when the commission directs otherwise.
The letter further directed her to liaise with the Supervisory National Commissioner, Professor Muhammad Sani Kaita for further clarifications when necessary.