2027: INEC swears in six new recs, redeploys 11

Fixes Dates For Ekiti, Osun Governorship Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sworn in six new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), filling all vacancies across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The ceremony, held at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja, was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.   The newly sworn-in RECs 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).  Yakubu noted that two of the appointees, Sinikiem and Gajiram, were reappointed for a second term.

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).

The INEC chairman charged the RECs to adhere strictly to the electoral legal framework, uphold the code of conduct, and engage stakeholders transparently.
He warned against acts of defiance or indiscretion, noting that RECs would be held accountable for their actions.   He said: “The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly.

“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.”

While urging the new appointees to always act in good conscience, Yakubu advised them not to betray their 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,” he said.   He noted that their appointment was a full-time and not part-time responsibility, urging them to provide leadership and exercise effective supervision.

“It is also important to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities. Our state offices are part and parcel of the commission. You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences.

“We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the commission has announced the dates for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States scheduled to take place in 2026. Yakubu, who announced the dates on Friday in Abuja, said it was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, which mandates the publication of election notices not later than 360 days before the polls.

According to him, the governorship election in Ekiti State is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, while that of Osun State will hold on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

He disclosed that the tenure of the current governors, elected in June and July 2022, will expire in 2026, necessitating the early release of the election timetable and schedule of activities.

Yakubu 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 governorship 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 upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025 i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.

“The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, while campaign in public by political parties will commence on January 21, 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.

“In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Party primaries will start on November 24, 2025 and end on December 15, 2025. The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00pm on February 9, 2026, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on March 9, 2026, while campaign in public by political parties will commence on March 11, 2026, and end 24 hours before election day.”

Yakubu stated that the commission was aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide.

“The number of bye-elections has now risen to 17. We are aware of the urgency to commence the CVR, particularly in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. We want to assure Nigerians that we are finalising our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public,” he said.