By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has on Tuesday, sworn-in nine (9) out of the newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
Mahmood disclosed that the tenth REC-designate will be sworn-in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed to Delta State.
While swearing the RECs, the chairman charged them to remain impartial in carrying out their duties.
Professor Yakubu urged the RECs to be above board in all their dealings, saying that “INEC is not a political party. INEC has no candidate in any election”.
He called on them to demonstrate transparency, impartiality, courage and balanced interaction with all stakeholders.
“ As an umpire, our responsibility is to guarantee a level playing field for all actors”, he said
” I urged you not to engage in a puerile debate that adds 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. 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.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in RECs, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola pledged the commitment and loyalty of the RECs to the Commission and to Nigeria.
“We will be fair and remain impartial towards all electoral stakeholders as we look forward to a harmonious relationship with INEC chairman and the rest of the staff”, she added.
The new RECs and their states of deployment are as follows:
Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa- Kebbi, Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed-
Borno, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha-Edo,
Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah-Akwa Ibom,
Mal. Aminu Idris- Kaduna.
Others are, Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar- Kwara, Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola -Ondo, Olubunmi O. Omoseyindemi – Ekiti and Shehu L. Wahab-Nasarawa.
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