.…to release timetable for by-election soon
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has officially sworn in six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies in six states of the federation that has no Commissioners.
The six states without Commissioners, were Abia, Gombe, Cross River, Ogun, Taraba, and Sokoto.
Speaking at the Swearing-in Ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Prof. Yakubu said that with the swearing-in of six RECs on Friday, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said it is therefore appropriate to congratulate the new RECs that have taken their oath of office, just as he recognised two members of the INEC who were attending their first public activity as National Commissioners on Friday following their swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja recently.
They are 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.
Speaking further, Yakubu stated that aside the swearing-in of new RECs to fill vacancies in six states of the federation, the second objective of the occasion has two objectives was to discharge one of the Commission’s constitutional obligations with regard to major off-cycle elections in two states of the federation namely Osun and Ekiti.
He reminded the new RECs that the conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty, pointing out that “as RECs, you are the representatives of the Commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly.
Said he: “The work of the Commission is, to say the least, very challenging. I am glad that two of you, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, have been reappointed for a second term having served for an initial term of five years as RECs while Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi have been career staff of the Commission”.
According to the INEC boss, Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a private legal practitioner and Umar Yusuf Garba with years of experience in the private sector are coming into the Commission for the first time.
He said that together, all six of them have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in them 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”, Yakubu told the new RECs.
The INEC Chairman however told the new RECs that: “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.
The INEC boss also announced the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, scheduled for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
Prof. Yakubu also revealed that the Commission is finalising preparations for the bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly and the commencement of continuous voter registration.
The INEC chairman said, “In line with the requirements of the law, the commission is under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election.
“In compliance with the law, the Commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections. The last gubernatorial elections in the two States were held in June and July 2022. The four-year tenure of the Governors will end next year.
“For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026. However, party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025 to enable political parties to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal, which automatically shuts down by 6.00 pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e., not later than 180 days before the election.
Speaking for the newly-sworn-in RECs, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, pledged unwavering commitment to integrity, impartiality, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Sa’ad expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and acknowledged the weight of the responsibility.
“We are deeply honoured by this call to national service. We understand that the credibility of elections depends not just on structures, but on the character of those entrusted to manage them,”
He assured Nigerians of their dedication to democratic ideals, saying the new RECs would promote voter education, deepen citizen participation, and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
“We accept this role with humility and determination to serve diligently and conscientiously,” he added.
SpyeTV reports that the swearing-in Ceremony took place in the presence of the National Commissioners, RECs, Secretary to the Commission, Directors and other senior officials of the Commission.