•Warns newly sworn in RECs against engaging in puerile debates
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it will soon release the timetable and schedule of activities for the re-run elections and by-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.
It said 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 State, Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State and Guma State Constituency of Benue State.
The electoral body also assured Nigerians that it was liaising with the National and State Assemblies for the declaration of vacancies in six other constituencies so that by-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 Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the swearing-in of new RECs to fill vacancies in nine states of the federation.
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.”
Yakubu urged the newly sworn in RECs against engaging in puerile debate that adds no value to their work.
He explained that the work of the commission is a difficult task; multi-stakeholder activity and 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 deligitimise the processes and demonise officials.
According to him, “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.”
Yakubu said the RECs must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct and their good conscience.
He added that they must understand and operate within the limits of their delegated powers and responsibilities.
The chairman noted: “Today, nine out of the 10 RECs screened and confirmed by the National Assembly were sworn in at this ceremony. 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 in Delta State.
“By the proactive decision taken by the appointing authority, there will be no long waiting period before the vacancy is filled.”
Yakubu pointed out that among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the commission rising to the rank of Director, adding that they have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the headquarters.
He noted that their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring and electoral litigation.
The chairman said this was the first time that several INEC career officers were appointed as RECs.
Yakubu added: “You are not new to the conduct of elections. There is no learning curve for you.
Consequently, there can be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and for making a huge difference to the quality and transparency of elections.
“The other five RECs sworn in today have varied experiences in the public service at both national and state level. We will hold you to the same standard as we hold the career officers of the commission.”
The chairman said in line with the current policy and until such a time when the commission decides otherwise, the nine new RECs would be deployed within their geo-political zones but none would serve in his/her state of origin.
The new RECs are: Abubakar Pawa (Kebbi);
Abubakar Ahmed (Borno); Dr. Anugbum Onuoha (Edo); Ehimeakhe Isah (Akwa Ibom); Mal. Aminu Idris (Kaduna); Mohammed Abubakar (Kwara); Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ondo); Olubunmi Omoseyindemi (Ekiti); and Shehu WahabN (Nasarawa).
