INEC Swears In Six RECs
As political activities are kicking off for the next general elections in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, swore in six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and assigned them to their states of deployment.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that with the swearing in of the six RECs, all vacancies in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been filled.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the swearing-in ceremony, urged the new RECs to follow the electoral legal framework and the commission’s guidelines in conducting their activities and discharging their responsibilities.
He explained that the RECs are in charge of personnel and resources in their states of deployment and urged them to use them judiciously.
“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms,” he said.
“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.”
Yakubu said two of the RECs, Johnson Sinikiem and Mukhtar Gajiram, were reappointed for a second term after serving an initial term of five years as RECs, while two others, Sa’ad Idris and Feyijimi Ibiyemi, have been career staff of the commission.
The remaining two, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, a private legal practitioner, and Umar Garba, who have years of experience in the private sector, are joining the commission for the first time.
“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC,” he said.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
