The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday swore in six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), charging them to uphold integrity, professionalism, and strict adherence to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
Speaking at the ceremony held at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized that the new RECs must be guided by the Constitution, the Commission’s code of conduct, and operational guidelines.
“You must always act in good conscience and never betray your oath of office,” he said. “Engage stakeholders regularly and remain open to constructive criticism.”
The newly appointed RECs and their postings include Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, who was posted to Cross River State; Mukhtar Umar Gajiram (Taraba State); Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris (Gombe State); Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi (Ogun State); Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako (Abia State); and Umar Yusuf Garba (Sokoto State).
The commission also redeployed 11 RECs to new states. The officials and their new postings include: Aminu Idris who was redeployed to the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet (Kwara), Prof. Gabriel Yomeri (Rivers), Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo (Kogi), Mahmuda Isah (Zamfara), Mohammed Abubakar Sadio (Plateau), Mohammed Bulama Nura (Adamawa). Others are Prof. Saidu Babura Ahmed (Kaduna), Umar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Isah Shaka Ehimeakhe (Bayelsa), and Obo OEffanga (Akwa Ibom).
Among the appointees, Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram were reappointed for a second term, while Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi are long-serving INEC staff. Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a legal practitioner, and Umar Yusuf Garba, from the private sector, are newcomers to the Commission.
With these appointments, Yakubu noted, all REC vacancies across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT have now been filled.
He also announced that the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections will hold on Saturday, June 20, 2026, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
For Ekiti State, party primaries will run from October 20 to November 10, 2025. Nomination forms must be uploaded by December 22, with the final candidate list published on January 18, 2026. Campaigns will begin on January 21 and end 24 hours before election day.
In Osun State, primaries will take place between November 24 and December 15, 2025. Nomination forms are due by February 9, 2026, with the final list out on March 9. Campaigning begins March 11.
The full timetable and schedule for both elections have been published on INEC’s website and social media platforms.
Yakubu also addressed public concern about the delay in conducting pending bye-elections and the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), revealing that 17 bye-elections are now pending.
“We understand the urgency, especially ahead of the Anambra governorship election. Preparations for both the bye-elections and the CVR are at an advanced stage, and details will be announced shortly,” he said.
