…Orders them to act in good conscience, not to betray oath of office
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has read the riot act to six newly sworn-in Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), ordering them to act in good conscience and not to betray their oath of office.
Yakubu gave the directive in his remarks while swearing in the six new RECs in Abuja on Friday. He urged them to brace up for the daunting task ahead of them as representatives of the commission in their various States.
The electoral umpire boss said that: “with the swearing-in of six RECs today, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It is therefore appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office.”
“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, to say the least, very challenging. Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC.
“As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the Commission’s operations.
“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms,” he charged.
Giving further directives, Yakubu said: “In the various States to which you will be deployed shortly, you will be in charge of personnel and resources. Manage your personnel and the extremely limited resources at your disposal very well. Your appointment is a full-time and not part-time responsibility.”
“You must provide leadership and exercise effective supervision. You can only succeed in this responsibility when you are knowledgeable about the commission’s activities, particularly the innovations introduced in election management.
“It is also important to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities. Our State offices are part and parcel of the commission. You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the Commission without consequences.
“We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC,” he warned
In line with the current policy, you will be deployed within your geo-political zones but none of you will serve in his/her State of origin.