Ahead of the governorship and House of Assembly elections across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission has ordered the Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commission, Dr Nura Ali, to stay away from official duties.
According to The PUNCH, the order was delivered through a press statement issued by the secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday.
Also, the electoral body instructed the state’s administrative secretary to assume full responsibility immediately.
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.”
Although the reason for the directive was not disclosed, it has been speculated that this might be as a result of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly election in the country.
Recall that the INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu recently pledged to deal with any commission official who contributed to the flaws of the presidential election.