INEC Swears In Six RECs, Unveils Timetable for Ekiti, Osun Gov Polls

By Nathaniel Gana

31st May 2025

Six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) were on 30th May sworn in at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) headquarters in Abuja. Two of them, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram were reappointed for a second term; another two –  Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. FeyijimiSaseyi Ibiyemi – were former staff of the Commission while the last two – Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a private legal practitioner  and Umar Yusuf Garba are first timers.

They were joining two new National Commissioners – Sunday Nwambam Aja, a Professor of Educational Planning and Administration representing the South East geo-political zone and Abdulrazak Tukur Yusuf, a highly experienced election administrator, representing the North West zone, both of whom had earlier been sworn in by President Bola Tinubu.

The Commission also released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections.

While the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu congratulated the new RECs and their families, he urged them to understand and operate within the limits of the powers and responsibilities to be delegated to them.

Prof. Yakubu said: “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.

“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 Resident Electoral Commissioner.”

In line with the current policy, Dr idris was deployed to Gombe State; Dr Sinikiem to Cross River; Mrs Ibiyemi to Ogun; Mr Gajiram to Taraba, Mr. Ibeziako to Abia; and Mr Garba to Sokoto State.

Prof Yakubu also informed the audience that the deployements required a consequential redeployment. The RECs redeployed include Aminu Idris (Federal Capital Territory), Hale Longpet (Kwara), Gabriel Yomeri (Rivers), Agundu Terso (Kogi) and Mahmuda Isah (Zamfara). Others are: Mohammed Sadiq (Plateau), Mohammed Nura (Adamawa), Saidu Ahmed (Kaduna), Umar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Isah Ehimeakhe (Bayelsa) and Obo Effanga (Akwa Ibom).

On the Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections, the INEC Chairman announced Saturday 20th June 2026 as the election date for the former, while the latter’s polls will hold on Saturday 8th August 2026. Prof Yakubu said the Commission was under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later that 360 days before the date fixed for the election. He said dates fixed for both elections were informed by the fact that the last governorship electios in the two states were held in June and July 2022, while the four-year tenure of both governors would end next year.

For Ekiti State, “party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025 to enable Political Parties upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025 i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 18th January 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

With regard to Osun State, “Party primaries will start on 24th November 2025 and end on 15th December 2025. The portal for the upload of nomination forms by Political Parties closes at 6.00pm on 9th February 2026 i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

Prof Yakubu also observed that the Commisison was aware of the concerns expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections which had risen to 17, and the urgency to commence the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide in view of the upcomijg Anambra State Governorship election. “We want to assure Nigerians that we are finalising our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris expressed deep gratitude for the confidence reposed in them, assuring the Commission and the Nigerian people of their dedication to professionalism, impartiality, and transparency. “We are fully aware of the critical role RECs play in upholding the credibility of the electoral process,” he stated, vowing that they would discharge their responsibilities with honour and accountability.

Dr. Idris also paid tribute to the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, whom he fondly referred to as “Mama INEC,” for her unwavering support, and reflected on his tenure as Director-General of the Electoral Institute, which he said had equipped him for the tasks ahead.

In a moment of solemn remembrance, the Commission honoured the late retired Major General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali, a former National Commissioner who passed away recently. A silent prayer was offered in his memory and remembrance of all INEC staff that have died in the line of duty.