INEC Chair swears in 9 new RECs

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday inaugurated nine out of the 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu after their clearance by the National Assembly.

The swearing-in was held on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with RECs.

However, the REC appointed from Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, was not among those sworn in, as the INEC chairman said his would be done in January 2024 after the expiration of the tenure of incumbent.

The INEC boss told the RECs, especially those newly appointed, that the conduct of elections was not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty.

He noted, “As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is a difficult task. Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. It is also a very emotive issue, especially in an environment where some desperate political actors and their supporters want to win by all means, failing which they blame the commission or even seek to delegitimise the processes and demonise officials.

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“I urge you not to engage in puerile debates that add no value to your work. At the same time, you must not be impervious to genuine criticisms. You must maintain the commission’s tradition of regular consultations with critical stakeholders.

“These are the political parties, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the security agencies.”

He told the RECs to be firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all and at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and good conscience.

He added, “You must also work closely with your field officers in the state, listening to their wise counsel, but always providing guidance, leadership and effective supervision. Similarly, I must warn you to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities.

“Our state offices are part and parcel of the commission and we will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC.”

Yakubu said the commission would hold them accountable for their actions and inactions, thus, they must manage their personnel as well as the limited resources at their disposal very well.

He noted, “Today, nine out of the 10 RECs screened and confirmed by the National Assembly were sworn-in at this ceremony. The 10th REC-designate will be sworn-in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed in Delta State.

“By the proactive decision taken by the appointing authority, there will be no long waiting period before the vacancy is filled. Let me therefore seize this opportunity to commend the selfless and dedicated service rendered to the commission and the nation by the outgoing REC in Delta State, Dr Monday Udo Tom. The same appreciation is extended to all the other RECs whose tenure ended after serving meritoriously.

“Among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the commission rising to the rank of director. They have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the headquarters. Their experiences traversed electoral operations, election, party monitoring and electoral litigation.”

He said this was the first time several INEC career officers were appointed as RECs, noting that they were not new to the conduct of elections and so there could be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and making a huge difference to the quality and transparency of elections.

“The other five RECs sworn-in today have varied experiences in the public service at both national and state levels. We will hold you to the same standard as we hold the career officers of the commission,” Yakubu added.

….New RECs deployed

Yakubu also said that in line with the current policy, and until the commission decided otherwise, the nine new RECs would be deployed within their geopolitical zones but that none would serve in their state of origin.

While announcing the posting, he posted Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa to Kebbi State; Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed to Borno State; Dr Anugbum Onuoha to Edo State; Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah to Akwa Ibom State; Mallam Aminu Idris to Kaduna State; Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar to Kwara State; Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola to Ondo State; Olubunmi Omoseyindemi to Ekiti State and Shehu L. Wahab to Nasarawa State.