ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has administered the oath of office to six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), a move the Commission says completes its deployment across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
At a ceremony held on Friday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, welcomed the appointees and underscored the weight of the responsibilities before them, reminding them that their role demands full-time dedication and strict adherence to the law.
“Elections are more than administrative tasks; they reflect the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people. Leadership, supervision, and lawful conduct will be central to your mandate,” Prof. Yakubu said.
Among those sworn in are two returning commissioners—Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram both beginning their second terms. The four others include Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, both former INEC staff members; Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a legal practitioner; and Umar Yusuf Garba, who comes from the private sector.
In line with INEC policy, the new RECs have been assigned to states outside their home states to help reinforce neutrality and reduce the risk of bias. The assignments are as follows:
Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris (Gombe), Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem(Cross River), Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi (Ogun)
Mukhtar Umar Gajiram (Taraba), Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Abia), and Umar Yusuf Garba (Sokoto)
Prof. Yakubu used the occasion to announce key dates for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections. Ekiti State will hold its gubernatorial poll on June 20, 2026, with political parties expected to conduct primaries between October 20 and November 10, 2025. Osun State will follow on August 8, 2026, with party primaries slated for November 24 to December 15, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated officials, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He assured the Commission and the Nigerian public of their readiness to carry out their duties with transparency and fairness.
“We understand that the credibility of any election lies not only in the systems in place but also in the personal integrity of those who oversee them,” Dr. Idris stated.
He also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the tenets of the Nigerian Constitution and pledged to remain impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.
A solemn moment was observed during the event in honor of the late retired Major General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali, a former INEC National Commissioner who passed away in April.
With preparations underway for forthcoming bye-elections and the anticipated restart of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Commission has reiterated its focus on building public confidence through transparent and accountable processes.
The appointments and deployments, according to INEC, are part of efforts to maintain public confidence in the Commission’s capacity to manage elections across Nigeria.
