Emphasizing the importance of neutrality in executing official responsibilities, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the recently sworn-in Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Umore, to uphold impartiality.
Revealing this, the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Sam Olumekun, released a statement on Tuesday.
The appointment of 10 nominees of President Bola Tinubu as RECs was approved by the Senate in November 2023. This followed Tinubu’s request for confirmation of the nomination of the RECs for INEC by the provisions of Section 154(1) of the Constitution.
On December 12, 2023, Mahmood swore in nine of the RECs, noting that the 10th REC-designate would be sworn in on January, following the expiration of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State.
As outlined in the Tuesday statement, Umoren has been deployed to Delta State after the expiration of the tenure of the last occupant of the office on January 29, 2024.
Conveying the details, the statement read, “The commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
“The meeting was preceded by the swearing-in of Mr Etekamba Udo Umoren, as Resident Electoral Commissioner and deployed to Delta State following the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office yesterday, Monday, January 29, 2024.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the commission, urged the new REC to strictly adhere to his oath of office which demands neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of his duties.
He also encouraged the new REC to comply with the commission’s Code of Conduct and maintain regular consultations with stakeholders.”
Umoren, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Benin. He had served in various capacities in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, rising to the position of Permanent Secretary.
