From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has warned the nine newly-sworn in Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to operate within the limits of their delegated powers and responsibilities.
He gave the warning in his remarks at the meeting with the RECs held in Abuja on Tuesday, which doubles as swearing-in for the nine new RECs.
The electoral umpire boss also frowned at the attitude of desperate political actors and their supporters for blaming the commission or even seeking to deligitimise the processes and demonise officials any time they fail to win.
The nine new RECs and states of deployment include; Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa (Kebbi), Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed (Borno), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha (Edo), Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah (Akwa-Ibom), Mal. Aminu Idris (Kaduna), Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar (Kwara), Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola (Ondo), Olubunmi O. Omoseyindemi (Ekiti), and Shehu L. Wahab (Nasarawa).
“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.
“Elections and electoral activities take place all-year round. As is the case with every general election, reforms will follow in the aftermath of the 2023 general election. We are finalising our main report for the election as well as the review report following wide-ranging engagements with stakeholders.
Charging them further, Yakubu said: “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 a difficult task. Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. It is also 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.
“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,” he noted.
While thanking the RECs, Yakubu said: “Let me therefore seize this opportunity to commend the selfless and dedicated service rendered to the commission and the nation by the outgoing REC in Delta state, Monday Udo Tom. The same appreciation is extended to all the other RECs whose tenure ended after serving meritoriously.
“Among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the commission rising to the rank of Director. They have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the headquarters. Their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring and electoral litigation.
“This is the first time that several INEC career officers are appointed as RECs. 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. As new RECs, you are coming on board just as the Commission is about to conclude the three stages of our recent general election,” he said.