The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has sworn in six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the commission's headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
With this inauguration, INEC has filled all vacant REC positions across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, completing the commission's leadership structure at the state level.
During the ceremony, Professor Yakubu emphasized the critical nature of the RECs' responsibilities, describing their role as "not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty." He reminded the appointees that they would serve as the commission's representatives in their respective states.
Mix of Experience in New Appointments
The newly sworn-in commissioners represent a blend of experienced electoral administrators and fresh perspectives. Two of the RECs, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, were reappointed for a second five-year term.
Dr. Sa'ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi join the commission from within, having previously served as career staff members of INEC. Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a private legal practitioner, and Umar Yusuf Garba, who brings experience from the private sector, are first-time appointees to the commission.
"Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC," Professor Yakubu noted.
Adherence to Electoral Framework
The INEC Chairman issued clear directives to the commissioners regarding their conduct in office. "As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and the regulations and guidelines governing the commission's operations," he stated.
The appointment comes at a significant time for INEC, which recently announced dates for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, signaling the commission's preparation for upcoming electoral activities across the country.
The RECs are expected to be deployed to their respective states shortly, where they will oversee electoral processes and represent the commission's interests in line with Nigeria's electoral laws and guidelines.
