The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added to its fold one new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), bringing to total the number of serving RECs to 25.
The new REC, Dr. Mahmuda Isah, from Kebbi state who was recently cleared by the National Assembly, was today sworn in at the Headquarters of INEC in Abuja.
Until his appointment, Dr. Mahmuda, was a Deputy Director at the National Assembly and has a PH.D in Petroleum Law.
While welcoming the REC at the swearing-in ceremony, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, congratulated him on his new assignment and urged him to immediately settle down for the task ahead. “There is no time to waste, please endeavour to familiarize yourself with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines as well as the Commissions strategic plan 2017-2021.,” Prof. Yakubu said.
He reminded the REC that his appointment was coming at a time when the Commission and indeed Nigerians had begun the countdown to the 2019 general elections.
Professor Mahmood further added that the REC was assuming office at the 1st quarter in 2018 of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, an exercise which he stressed was critical to the success of the 2019 general elections and urged new member of the INEC family to be fair to all staff, be prudent in managing resources and ensure his personal integrity was not put to test.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that at the end of the 3rd quarter (2017) of the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise, some 3.9 million Nigerians were registered.
He expressed confidence that the new REC would deploy his education and wealth of experience to the work of the Commission and add value to the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.
Responding, Dr. Mahmuda, appreciated the warm welcome accorded him and assured that he will discharge his duties with utmost professionalism.
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