Few days into the governorship and House of Assembly elections acrossNigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission has directed the Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commission, Dr Nura Ali, to stay away from the commission.

The directive, which was contained in a letter signed by the secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and addressed to the Sokoto State office of the commission, directed INEC, the administrative secretary in the state, to take full charge with immediate effect.

According to the letter, Dr Nura Ali has been directed to stay away from the Commission’s office in Sokoto State 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”

Similarly, in a separate letter sighted by reporters, the commission directed the Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, to take full charge of the commission.

The letter further directed her to liaise with the Supervisory National Commissioner, Professor Muhammad Sani Kaita for further clarifications when necessary.

Meanwhile, the reason for the suspension was not explicitly stated, as it was gathered by reporters that the decision may be connected to the recent allegations of irregularities in the just-concluded election in the state.