INEC Swears-In New Nine RECs 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has charged the nine (9) newly sworn-in Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs to be above board in their service to the nation stressing that they should be committed and shun acts that could cast aspersions on their records.

Yakubu made this remarks during the swearing-in held at the INEC Hall in Maitama in Abuja noting that it is the first time that 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.

The INEC Boss commended former RECs who have served the commission in good faith and commitment to the Ideals of the Commission and nation saying their records is a force to reckon with as they have created an impact that cannot be overlooked.

However, these RECs who have been sworn in are; Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa

According to Prof. Yakubu: ” 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.

” Today, nine out of the 10 RECs screened and confirmed by the National Assembly were sworn-in at this ceremony. 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. By the proactive decision taken by the appointing authority, there will no long waiting period before the vacancy is filled.

” 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.

” Among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the Commission rising to the rank of Director. They 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.

Prof. Yakubu stated further that 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.

” So far, 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. Similarly, we want to assure citizens in six other constituencies that we are liaising with the National and State assemblies for the declaration of vacancies so that bye-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.

”  In line with the current policy, and until such a time when the Commission decides otherwise, the nine new RECs will be deployed within their geo-political zones but none will serve in his/her State of origin. Accordingly, it is my pleasure to announce the deployment of the new Resident Electoral Commissioners as follows”, he stated.