New INEC Commissioners Officially Take Office
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conducted a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday for nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
The Senate approved these appointments on November 1, 2023, following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of seven individuals as RECs for INEC. This ceremony, held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, marked the formal installment of these commissioners.
Yakubu emphasized the significant responsibility and sacred duty that comes with overseeing elections. He urged the newly appointed RECs to be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and their own good conscience.
In his words, “You are the representatives of the Commission in the various States to which you will be deployed shortly. I urge you not to engage in discussions that add no value to your work. Regular consultations with critical stakeholders are crucial. You must be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and your good conscience.”
Yakubu warned the new RECs to operate within the limits of their delegated powers and responsibilities and cautioned against any acts of defiance or indiscretion.
The Chairman also informed that the 10th REC-designate would be sworn in next month, filling the vacancy created by the expiration of the tenure of the REC currently representing Akwa Ibom State and deployed to Delta State.
Yakubu commended the outgoing REC in Delta State, Reverend Dr. Monday Udo Tom, for his dedicated service, along with other RECs whose tenure ended after serving meritoriously.
Notably, four out of the nine new RECs have risen through the ranks as career officers of the Commission, bringing valuable experience to their roles. This marks the first instance where several INEC career officers have been appointed as RECs.
The newly appointed RECs and their respective deployments are as follows:
- Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa- Kebbi
- Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed – Borno
- Dr. Anugbum Onuoha – Edo State
- Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah – Akwa Ibom
- Aminu Idris – Kaduna
- Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar – Kwara
- Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola – Ondo
- Omoseyindemi – Ekiti
- Shehu Wahab – Nasarawa
Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in RECs, pledged loyalty to their duties and recognized their responsibilities as RECs in Nigeria. She previously served as the Director of Legal Services at the commission’s headquarters.
Aminu Idris, from Nasarawa state, was a retired director in the Election and Political Parties Monitoring Department at the INEC headquarters. Shehu Abdulwahab was the INEC’s administrative secretary in Benue State before being appointed a REC.