INEC Explains Why Abia REC Was Suspended

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why they suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ike Uzochukwu Chijioke.

The National Commissioner in-charge of Abia State, Festus Okoye said that the REC was suspended because of poor administrative management of the previous elections.

“In relation to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state (Prof. Uzochukwu Chijioke), the commission in its wisdom asked him to step aside pending the conclusion of all the elections under our electoral calendar. This is because there were very serious challenges with his management of the elections. Since the commission reserves the right and have the authority to delegate authority to Resident Electoral Commissioners, the commission in its wisdom has withdrawn all the delegated powers due to the Resident Electoral Commissioner and those powers have been conferred on the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in Abia State pending the conclusion of governorship and State Assembly elections.

“After the elections, the commission will meet and review the situation. We asked the Resident Electoral Commissioners for Abia and Sokoto to step aside pending the conclusion of all these elections and thereafter, the commission will take a decision going forward on what happens to them.

“We do not have the power of appointment and we do not have the power to remove any Resident Electoral Commissioner, but we have the authority to withdraw the delegated powers given to them and confer such powers on someone else.”