By Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has sworn in nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to fill vacancies in Ondo, Kaduna, Kebbi and six other states of the federation.
The new RECs were administered oath of office on Wednesday during a regular meeting of the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, with Resident Electoral Commissioners, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola was deployed to head the commission’s office in Ondo State, while Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa was posted to Kebbi State, Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed to Borno State and Dr. Anugbum Onuoha to Edo State.
Others are: Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah, Akwa Ibom State; Mal. Aminu Idris, Kaduna; Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar, Kwara State; Olubunmi O. Omoseyindemi, Ekiti State and Shehu L. Wahab, Nasarawa.
Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, INEC Chairman, Yakubu, congratulated the new RECs, and charged them to be firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all, adding that from now on they must be guided, at all times, by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and their good conscience.
He also urged them not to engage in a puerile debate that adds no value to their work, nor be impervious to genuine criticisms, but maintain the commission’s tradition of regular consultations with critical stakeholders such as political parties, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the security agencies.
“You must always be very firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all. Let me make it clear to you from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and your good conscience.
“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.,” he said.
Yakubu reminded them that 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. 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.
The INEC chairman warned that the commission will hold every REC accountable for their actions and inactions, urging them to manage their personnel as well as the extremely limited resources at their disposal very well.
Speaking on the tenth REC-designate who could not be sworn in, he said the REC 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.
“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,” he said.
While thanking the appointing authority on behalf of the new RECs, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, pledged the loyalty of the new RECs to the oath of office.
Babalola also said the new RECs will commit themselves to high ethical and professional standards, discipline and hard work for the achievement of the goals and mission of the commission.
“We will be firm, fair impartial and nonpartisan to all political parties, all political actors and act respectfully and decorously towards all electoral stakeholders. We are conscious of the enormous responsibilities of a Resident Electoral Commissioner in the electoral process in diverse and complex country like ours where elections are only fair when candidates win and their mandate stolen when they lose,” she said.
