The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill existing vacancies across the country.
The deployment was announced shortly after the RECs took their oath of office at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The new appointees include:
Dr. Sa’ad Idris – deployed to Gombe
Dr. Johnson Sinikiem – Cross River
Mrs. Feyijimi Ibiyemi – Ogun
Mukhtar Gajiram – Taraba
Chukwuemeka Ibeziako – Abia
Umar Garba – Sokoto
Dr. Idris and Mrs. Ibiyemi are career staff of the Commission, while Ibeziako and Garba bring private sector experience. Sinikiem and Gajiram were reappointed for a second term.
With this deployment, all REC vacancies in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have now been filled.
In his address, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, urged the RECs to uphold the principles of integrity, impartiality, and professionalism, reminding them that their appointments are full-time responsibilities.
“You must provide leadership, exercise effective supervision, and operate strictly within the legal and regulatory framework,” Yakubu said. “We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions.”
He stressed the importance of adhering to their oath of office and managing INEC’s resources prudently.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed commissioners, Dr. Sa’ad Idris expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the INEC chairman, and the commission for the opportunity to serve. He assured Nigerians of their commitment to upholding the Constitution and electoral laws.
“As we assume our roles, we understand the weight of this responsibility,” Idris said. “We are committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that every vote counts.”
Idris also pledged to work closely with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society groups, the media, and security agencies, to build public trust and strengthen democracy.
Meanwhile, INEC also announced the redeployment of several existing RECs. The reassignments include:
Aminu Idris – to FCT
Prof. Gabriel Yomeri – Rivers
Dr. Hale Longpet – Kwara
Dr. Agundu Tersoo – Kogi
Mahmuda Isa – Zamfara
Mohammed Sadiq – Plateau
Mohammed Nura – Adamawa
Prof. Saidu Ahmed – Kaduna
Umar Ibrahim – Bauchi
Isha Ehimeakhe – Bayelsa
Mr. Obi Effanga – Akwa Ibom
