By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially sworn in six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), completing its roster across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The swearing-in ceremony, which took place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, also marked the formal release of the election timetable for the 2026 governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States.
In his address at the event, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, welcomed the new officials and emphasized the critical nature of their assignments.
“This ceremony has two objectives: to swear in six new Resident Electoral Commissioners and to release the timetable for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States,” he said.
Professor Yakubu used the occasion to also acknowledge two recently appointed National Commissioners Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja representing the South East and Abdulrazak Tukur Yusuf from the North West. He paid tribute to the late Major General Abubakar Modibbo Alkali (rtd), a former National Commissioner, who passed away in April, describing him as “a conscientious officer who dedicated his life to national service.” A moment of silence was observed in his honour, along with other deceased INEC staff.
The INEC Chairman praised the calibre of the newly inducted RECs, noting their diverse professional backgrounds. He said two of them Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram were reappointed for a second term, while Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi are long-serving staff of the Commission. The remaining two, Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako and Umar Yusuf Garba, bring expertise from the legal and private sectors.
Addressing the new appointees, Professor Yakubu said: “This is a full-time assignment with national implications. You must operate strictly within the legal framework, follow our guidelines and regulations, and above all, honour the oath of office you have just taken. Do not betray that trust.”
He further urged the RECs to engage stakeholders regularly, manage limited resources prudently, and respect the boundaries of their delegated authority. “Any act of defiance or indiscretion will not be tolerated,” he added sternly.
The newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners have been posted to various states as follows: Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris has been deployed to Gombe State, while Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem will serve in Cross River. Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi has been assigned to Ogun State, Mukhtar Umar Gajiram to Taraba State, Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako to Abia State, and Umar Yusuf Garba to Sokoto State.
Professor Yakubu explained that the deployment policy remains consistent with INEC’s tradition of posting RECs within their respective geopolitical zones but outside their states of origin. He also disclosed that a consequential redeployment of some serving RECs had been carried out administratively, with the updated list to be published on INEC’s digital platforms.
Unveiling the timetable for the 2026 governorship elections, the INEC Chairman announced that Ekiti State will go to the polls on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while Osun State will follow on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
For Ekiti, party primaries are scheduled between October 20 and November 10, 2025, with the deadline for uploading nomination forms set for 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, and campaigns will run from January 21 until 24 hours before election day.
In Osun, party primaries will take place between November 24 and December 15, 2025, with nomination forms due by February 9, 2026. The final candidate list will be released on March 9, 2026, and campaigns are scheduled from March 11 until 24 hours before the polls.
“The full schedule of activities has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms to guide political parties and the public,” Professor Yakubu confirmed.
He also addressed concerns about pending bye-elections and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, revealing that 17 bye-elections remain outstanding. “Preparations for the CVR and the Anambra governorship election are at an advanced stage. Details will be made public very soon,” he assured.
Responding on behalf of the newly appointed RECs, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris expressed deep appreciation for the trust placed in them by the Commission. “We are humbled by this opportunity to serve. Under Professor Yakubu’s leadership, we have learned the value of discipline, integrity, and impartiality,” he said.
Dr. Idris pledged that he and his colleagues would carry out their duties faithfully and in full compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC’s internal policies. “We are committed to enhancing public confidence, engaging stakeholders, and promoting credible electoral processes across the country,” he affirmed.
The event concluded with reaffirmed commitments from both the Commission and the newly sworn-in officials to promote democratic principles and advance a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process across Nigeria.
