The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday swore in six new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), urging them to discharge their duties with integrity and in strict compliance with the electoral legal framework.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
With this development, all REC vacancies in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory have now been filled.
Prof. Yakubu described the conduct of elections as a “huge responsibility and a sacred duty,” emphasizing the critical role RECs play as the Commission’s representatives in the states.
He said, “The work of the commission is, to say the least, very challenging. I am glad that two of you—Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram—have been reappointed for a second term, having served for an initial five-year term as RECs.”
He also acknowledged the experience of other appointees, noting that Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi are career staff of the Commission, while Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a legal practitioner, and Umar Yusuf Garba, a professional from the private sector, are joining the Commission for the first time.
“Together, all six of you bring cumulative experience in election administration or public affairs management, which justifies the confidence reposed in you to serve in this high office,” Yakubu stated.
He further charged the new appointees to be guided at all times by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and INEC’s regulations and guidelines.
Yakubu stressed that the credibility of elections depends heavily on the integrity and professionalism of electoral officials, particularly those at the helm in the states.
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