The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sworn in nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners, adding that it would soon release timetable and schedule of activities for re-run and bye-elections.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the disclosure on Tuesday at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.
Nigerian Tribune checks revealed that rerun elections will be conducted in certain federal constituencies sequel to court verdicts which upturned certain “mandate”.
Bye elections will also be held in some federal constituencies and senatorial districts declared vacant as a result of resignation by federal lawmakers.
Some of the serving federal lawmakers who resigned from parliament to take appointment in the Federal cabinet of Bola Ahmed Tinubu include, former Speaker, House of Representatives and member representing Surulere Federal Constituency, Femi Gbajabiamila and member representing Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Olubunmi Ojo and Senator representing Ebonyi South, Dave Umahi.
Professor Yakubu told the gathering of INEC National Commissioners and journalists that the bye-elections would be conducted very soon.
He said: “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.
“So far, five vacancies have been declared for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno, Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State and Guma State Constituency of Benue State. Similarly, we want to assure citizens in six other constituencies that we are liaising with the National and State assemblies for the declaration of vacancies so that bye-elections can be conducted in earnest.
“These are Ebonyi South and Yobe East Senatorial Districts, Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State.”
The INEC Chairman urged the new RECs to stick to the Commission code of conduct in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
“I urge 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 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.
“In the various States to which you will be deployed shortly, you will be in charge of personnel and resources. I expect you to handle these responsibilities very well indeed. We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. Manage your personnel as well as the extremely limited resources at your disposal very well.”
The nine RECs were later posted to states within their respective geo-political zones.
The list included Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa (Kebbi), Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed (Borno), Dr Anugbum Onuoha (Edo), Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah (Akwa Ibom), Mal. Aminu Idris (Kaduna).
Others were Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar, (Kwara), Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola (Ondo), Olubunmi O. Omoseyindemi (Ekiti) and Shehu L. Wahab (Nasarawa).
. TheWitness
