The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has sworn into office six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at a formal swearing-in ceremony at its National Headquarters in Abuja
Prof. Yakubu who administered the oath of office on Friday, May 30, 2025, assisted by the Director of Legal Drafting and Clearance department, Mrs. Rakiya A. Nau’zo and charged the appointees to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, strict adherence to the rule of law, and an unwavering commitment to impartiality, ethical conduct, and public accountability.
“Election management is not just a task,” Prof. Yakubu reminded the new RECs. “It is a sacred national duty, one that must be approached with full respect for ethical standards and the rule of law.”
With the Commission’s Code of Conduct and electoral legal framework serving as their compass, the new appointees were urged to act in good conscience and never betray the sacred oath of office they had just taken. Their appointments, some fresh, others reappointments, reflect a blend of experience within the Commission and expertise from diverse sectors, including academia, law, and the private sector. With this development, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now have RECs in place.
Prof. Yakubu cautioned that leadership at the state level does not confer unchecked authority. “You are not lone operators,” he said. “You are part of a national institution. The Commission will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any REC who acts outside our regulatory framework or engages in acts of indiscretion.”
In line with INEC’s established policy of neutrality, the new RECs have been posted within their geopolitical zones but not in their states of origin, a deliberate effort to strengthen public confidence in the Commission’s independence. The consequential redeployments of some existing RECs were also carried out and will be published on INEC’s official platforms.
The newly sworn-in RECs and their states of posting are:
- Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris – Gombe State
- Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem – Cross River State
- Mrs. Saseyi Feyijimi Ibiyemi – Ogun State
- Mukhtar Umar Gajiram – Taraba State
- Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako – Abia State
- Umar Yusuf Garba – Sokoto State
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris expressed deep gratitude for the confidence reposed in them, assuring the Commission and the Nigerian people of their dedication to professionalism, impartiality, and transparency. “We are fully aware of the critical role RECs play in upholding the credibility of the electoral process,” he stated, vowing to discharge their responsibilities with honour and accountability.
Dr. Idris also paid tribute to the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, for her unwavering support, and reflected on his tenure as Director-General of the Electoral Institute, which he said had equipped them to meet the expectations ahead.
In a moment of solemn remembrance, the Commission honoured the late retired Major General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali, a former National Commissioner who passed away recently. A silent prayer was offered in his memory and in remembrance of all INEC staff who have died in the line of duty.
