INEC Chair Swears In Nine New RECs

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday inaugurated nine out of the 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu after their clearance by the National Assembly.

The swearing-in was held on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with RECs.

However, the REC appointed from Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, was not among those sworn in, as the INEC chairman said his would be done in January 2024 after the expiration of the tenure of incumbent.

The INEC boss told the RECs, especially those newly appointed, that the conduct of elections was not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty.

He noted, “As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is a difficult task. Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. It is also a very emotive issue, especially in an environment where some desperate political actors and their supporters want to win by all means, failing which they blame the commission or even seek to delegitimise the processes and demonise officials.

“I urge you not to engage in puerile debates that add no value to your work. At the same time, you must not be impervious to genuine criticisms. You must maintain the commission’s tradition of regular consultations with critical stakeholders.

“These are the political parties, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the security agencies.”

He told the RECs to be firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all and at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and good conscience.

He added, “You must also work closely with your field officers in the state, listening to their wise counsel, but always providing guidance, leadership and effective supervision. Similarly, I must warn you to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities.

“Our state offices are part and parcel of the commission and we will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC.”

Yakubu said the commission would hold them accountable for their actions and inactions, thus, they must manage their personnel as well as the limited resources at their disposal very well.