By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sworn-in six new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), marking the filling of all vacancies across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The event which took place on Friday at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja, also featured the unveiling of the timetable for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
In his remarks at the event, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, formally welcomed all attendees and acknowledged the presence of two recently sworn-in National Commissioners: Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja representing the South East geopolitical zone, and Abdulrazak Tukur Yusuf representing the North West. Professor Yakubu also paid tribute to the late Major General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali (rtd), a former National Commissioner who passed away in April, describing him as a “conscientious officer who diligently dedicated his life to the service of his country.” A minute of silent prayer was observed in memory of Alkali and other deceased INEC staff.
The INEC Chairman stated that the occasion had two major objectives: the swearing-in of the six new RECs and the official release of the timetable for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. Professor Yakubu congratulated the new appointees, highlighting their rich and diverse experiences in election management and public service. He noted that two of the newly sworn-in RECs: Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, were reappointed for a second term, while Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi were long-serving staff of the Commission. The other two, Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako and Umar Yusuf Garba, come with strong private sector and legal backgrounds.
The Chairman reminded the new RECs of the enormity of their responsibilities, urging them to adhere strictly to the electoral legal framework, the Commission’s regulations and guidelines, and their oath of office. “Do not betray your oath of office,” he warned, while stressing the importance of regular engagement with stakeholders, prudent management of personnel and limited resources, and full-time dedication to their new roles. Professor Yakubu added that the RECs must understand the limits of their delegated authority and act within the laws and policies of the Commission. Any act of defiance or indiscretion, he said, would not be tolerated.
He then announced the deployment of the new RECs as follows: Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris to Gombe State; Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem to Cross River; Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi to Ogun; Mukhtar Umar Gajiram to Taraba; Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako to Abia; and Umar Yusuf Garba to Sokoto. He noted that the deployment policy aligns with INEC’s tradition of assigning RECs within their geopolitical zones but outside their states of origin. Professor Yakubu also revealed that a consequential redeployment of some serving RECs was carried out administratively, and the updated list would be made public via INEC’s website and social media platforms.
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