The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday swore in nine out of the 10 new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) screened and confirmed by the National Assembly to fill vacancies in States of the Federation.
The new RECs are Abubakar Pawa (Kebbi); Abubakar Ahmed (Borno); Dr. Anugbum Onuoha (Edo); Ehimeakhe Isah (Akwa Ibom); Mal. Aminu Idris (Kaduna); Mohammed Abubakar (Kwara); Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ondo); Olubunmi Omoseyindemi (Ekiti); and Shehu Wahab (Nasarawa).
Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the commission, who made this known in Abuja at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) informed that the tenth REC-designate will be sworn-in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed to Delta State.
He said among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the Commission rising to the rank of Director and have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the Headquarters.
“Their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring and electoral litigation.
“This is the first time that several INEC career officers are appointed as RECs. You are not new to the conduct of elections. There is no learning curve for you. Consequently, there can be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and for 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 level. We will hold you to the same standard as we hold the career officers of the Commission,” he noted.
This is even as the Commission promised to liaising with the National and State Assemblies to declare vacancies in six constituencies so that by-elections can be conducted in earnest.
These are Ebonyi South and Yobe East Senatorial Districts, Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State.
INEC Chairman noted that five vacancies have been declared for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno State, Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State and Guma State Constituency of Benue State of the National and State assemblies.
He said in line with the current policy, and until such a time when the Commission decides otherwise, the nine new RECs would be deployed within their geo-political zones but none would serve in his/her State of origin.
The INEC Chairman opined that the Commission would soon release the timetable and schedule of activities for the re-run elections and by-elections in constituencies where vacancies have been declared by Presiding Officers of legislative houses following the death or resignation of serving members of the National and State assemblies.
“Very soon, the Commission will release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the re-run elections which will be combined with bye-elections in constituencies where vacancies have been declared by Presiding Officers of legislative houses following the death or resignation of serving members of the National and State assemblies.”
“This is the first time the Commission is combining its regular meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the swearing-in of new RECs to fill vacancies in nine States of the Federation. It is also our last meeting for the year 2023. Let me therefore welcome you all to this historic occasion.
“It is appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office. The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. 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 deligitimise the processes and demonise officials.
Yakubu cautioned the newly sworn-in RECs against engaging in puerile debate that adds no value to their work and also warned them to understand and operate within the limits of their 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.
“In the various States to which you will be deployed shortly, you will be in charge of personnel and resources. I expect you to handle these responsibilities very well indeed. We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. Manage your personnel as well as the extremely limited resources at your disposal very well. Elections and electoral activities take place all-year round. As is the case with every general election, reforms will follow in the aftermath of the 2023 General Election. We are finalising our main report for the election as well as the review report following wide-ranging engagements with stakeholders” he said.
“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, Reverend Dr Monday Udo Tom. The same appreciation is extended to all the other RECs whose tenure ended after serving meritoriously,” Yakubu stressed.
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