Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has tasked the 19 newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), to remain transparent, non-partisan, firm, and courageous in the discharge of their duties.
The INEC Chairman, gave the charge after a brief swearing in ceremony held at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, a statement by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Victor Ayodele Aluko disclosed.
Addressing the new members of the INEC family, Prof. Yakubu said, “You owe nothing to any individual but owe everything to the Nigerian people.We must continue to ensure that the choices they make on Election Day prevail. It is their decision.”
While noting that the new RECs were joining the Commission with knowledge and experience in various fields, with nine (9) coming from academia, including Professors; two (2) lawyers; an Accountant; a retired Ambassador and six (6) Civil/Public servants, including retired Permanent Secretaries, the Chairman urged them to settle down quickly to face the huge and daunting task ahead.
He said: “As I welcome you to the Commission, I urge you to settle in quickly and familiarise yourselves with the demands of your new responsibilities, always bearing in mind our commitment to free, fair, credible, transparent, and verifiable elections.
“With exactly 113 days until the 2023 General Election, we are aware that the task ahead of us is not easy, but we must never disappoint Nigerians. Our loyalty is to Nigeria, and our allegiance is to Nigerians. Only their votes should determine winners in the 2023 General Election. Nothing more, nothing less. There should be no deviation from this path of honour and integrity.
“We are only administering the process in trust, supported by technology. On this note, let me once again emphasise that the only means of voter accreditation during the 2023 General Election is the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while results will be uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on Election Day as provided by law,” the INEC Chairman said.
Addressing the RECs further, Prof. Yakubu said, “Over the years, the Commission has worked tirelessly to reform the electoral process and introduce many innovations that are generally acknowledged to have improved the electoral process.”
He continued: “In doing so, we will continue to acknowledge the sacrifice and dedication of our hardworking staff. As you are deployed to the states of the Federation, you will be responsible for human and material resources. “Work with the staff and be guided by the provisions of the law and our various Regulations and Guidelines”.
Prof. Yakubu further called on the new RECs to uphold the tenets of neutrality and avoid fraternising with politicians. In his words, “you will also interact with various stakeholders. You should maintain the established practice of consulting with them. However, in dealing with the general public, you should be guided by the provisions of the Commission’s Code of Conduct. “You should not be visitors to Government Houses and must never hold unofficial meetings with politicians, even after official working hours.
“All matters pertaining to official responsibilities should be conducted in the office, attended by the relevant staff, and properly documented. “Doing this is your best protection against mischief. Do not compromise the neutrality of the Commission or create the perception of partisanship.”.
The INEC Chairman immediately announced the postings of new RECs, saying, “In line with the Commission’s current practice, Resident Electoral Commissioners are deployed to states within their geo-political zones. “However, no one will serve in his/her state of origin throughout your tenure”.
The postings as announced by Prof. Yakubu were: Prof. Uzochukwu I. Chijioke to Abia state; Barr. Nuhu Yunusa to Adamawa state; Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agu to Anambra state; Mohammed Bulama Nura to Bauchi state; Prof. Samuel G. Egwu to Benue state; Yomere Gabriel Oritsemolebi to Cross River state; Onyeka Pauline Ugochi to Ebonyi state; and Obo O. Effanga to Edo state.
Also posted were; Prof. Ayobami Salami posted to Ekiti state; Umar Ibrahim posted to Gombe state; Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu posted to Imo state; Prof. Muhammad L. Bashar posted to Jigawa state; Amb. Abdu Abdussamadu Zango posted to Kano state; Prof. Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim posted to Katsina state; and Ahmed Yushau Garki posted to Niger state.
Others were: Dr. Agboke Mutiu Olaleke to serve in Osun state; Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo to serve in Plateau state; Dr. Nura Ali to serve in Sokoto state; and Ibrahim Abdullahi to serve in Yobe state.
Prof. Yakubu also disclosed that the deployment of the new RECs means a consequential adjustment in the current postings of four serving RECs who were redeployed as follows; Dr. Adediran Rahmon Tella who is currently serving in Ekiti state, has been moved to Oyo state; Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem currently REC in Cross River state, now moved to Rivers state; Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu who is REC in Ebonyi state, will now move to Enugu state; while Dr. Mahmuda Isah who is serving in Jigawa state, has been moved to Kaduna state.
