News
INEC Swears in Additional Nine New RECs
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday swore in nine additional Resident Electoral Commissioners.
The Senate had on November 1, 2023, approved the appointment of seven of the nominees of President Bola Tinubu as RECs of the Commission.
The appointment followed Tinubu’s request for confirmation of the nomination of the RECs for INEC in accordance with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the Constitution.
At the swearing-in ceremony held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu told the nine new RECs that the conduct of elections was not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty urging them to be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and good conscience.
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.
“I urge you not to engage in a puerile debate that adds no value to your work. At the same time, you must not be impervious to genuine criticisms. You must maintain the Commission’s tradition of regular consultations with critical stakeholders.
“You must always be very firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all. Let me make it clear to you from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and your good conscience.
“Similarly, I must warn you to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities. Our State offices are part and parcel of the Commission and we will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion, or transgression on the part of any REC.”
The INEC chairman further noted that the 10th REC-designate would be sworn in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed to Delta State.
He said, “Today, nine out of the 10 RECs screened and confirmed by the National Assembly were sworn in at this ceremony.
“The tenth REC-designate will be sworn in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed to Delta State. By the proactive decision taken by the appointing authority, there will be no long waiting period before the vacancy is filled.
“Let me therefore seize this opportunity to commend the selfless and dedicated service rendered to the commission and the nation by the outgoing REC in Delta State, Reverend Dr Monday Udo Tom. The same appreciation is extended to all the other RECs whose tenure ended after serving meritoriously.”
Mahmood added that this was the first time that several INEC career officers were appointed as RECs, calling on them to hit the ground immediately.
“Among the nine new RECs, four have been career officers of the Commission rising to the rank of Director. They have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the Headquarters.
“Their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring and electoral litigation. This is the first time that several INEC career officers have been appointed as RECs. You are not new to the conduct of elections. There is no learning curve for you.
“Consequently, there can be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and for making a huge difference to the quality and transparency of elections. The other five RECs are sworn in today and have varied experiences in public service at both the National and State levels. We will hold you to the same standard as we hold the career officers of the Commission.”
The new RECs have been deployed as follows: Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa, Kebbi; Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed, Borno; Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, Edo State; Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah,
Akwa Ibom; Aminu Idris, Kaduna; Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar, Kwara; Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, Ondo; Olubunmi Omoseyindemi, Ekiti; and Shehu Wahab, Nasarawa.
Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola who spoke on behalf of the newly sworn-in RECs pledged to be loyal to their duties while recognising their responsibilities as RECs in Nigeria.
Until her appointment, Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola from Ekiti State was the Director of Legal Services at the commission’s headquarters.
Aminu Idris from Nasarawa state was a retired director, Election and Political Parties Monitoring Department, at the INEC headquarters.
Shehu Abdulwahab was the INEC’s administrative secretary in Benue State before he was appointed a REC.
News
Eid-ul-Adha: FG declares Wednesday, Thursday public holidays
Tunji-Ojo conveyed the warm felicitations of the Federal Government to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and throughout the diaspora, describing Eid ul Adha as a festival of deep spiritual significance rooted in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion for one’s fellow man.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 27th May and Thursday, 28th May, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid ul Adha.
The announcement was made by the minister of interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry of interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
The declaration, according to the statement, reflects the federal government’s respect for the faith and spiritual heritage of millions of Nigerian Muslims joining the global Islamic community in observing the sacred occasion.
Tunji-Ojo conveyed the warm felicitations of the Federal Government to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and throughout the diaspora, describing Eid ul Adha as a festival of deep spiritual significance rooted in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion for one’s fellow man.
The federal government urged all Nigerians to use the period for prayer and sober reflection, seeking divine guidance upon the country as it presses ahead in its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen.
News
Humanitarian Services: NEMA distributes relief materials to victims of terrorist attacks in 2 Niger communities
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials to victims of terrorist attacks in the Allawa and Bagna communities of the Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State.
The distribution exercise was conducted at the Mutum Daya community in Shiroro local government area, in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, where community members were also sensitised on safety precautions in respect to the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
Terrorists in April attacked Bagna, Erena, Yelwa and neighbouring communities, killing residents and vigilante members, burning houses and displacing several families forcing some of the community members to flee.
The Head of NEMA’s Minna Operations Office, Hussaini Isah, stated that the intervention aimed to provide humanitarian support and alleviate the hardship faced by vulnerable persons affected by the attacks.
Isah said the distribution was organised according to the affected communities to ensure fairness, transparency and orderly conduct.
- Abdullahi Baba-Arah. DG, Niger State Emergency Management Agency
Both the Village Head of Allawa, Ibrahim Salihu, and his Bagna counterpart, Bitrus Leo and some beneficiaries appreciated the Federal Government and NEMA for the timely intervention, saying the relief materials had restored hope to vulnerable households affected by the attacks.
Items distributed include 1,000 bags of 25 kg rice, 1,000 bags of 25 kg beans, 1,000 cartons of spaghetti, 100 cartons each of seasoning, vegetable oil, tomato paste and iodised salt.
NEMA also used the medium to advise residents to avoid farming, building houses and carrying out business activities along waterways and flood-prone areas due to the risk of severe and localised flooding predicted for 2026 by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced power outage in various parts of Abuja including hotels and diplomatic buildings.
The AEDC made the announcement in its verified X handle today.
It said the blackout also affected Bolingo Hotel, Wada Maida Building, which houses the headquarters of Sudan, Egypt embassies, Envoy Hotel, the European Union embassy, among others.
The other places affected by the blackout are the National Planning Commission (NPC), the National Hospital, and the Turkish, Pakistani, and Indian embassies.
“Also, Garki Area One, Two, Three, Seven and Eight; Garki village; Garki market; Ubiaja Street; Kaltungo Street; and Lagos Street have been affected.
“Also affected are Oka Akoko Street, Treasury House, Karibu Hotel, and part of Asokoro, such as Yakubu Gowon Street.
“Similarly, Imo Government Lodges, Gado Nasko Street, Justice Sowemimo, Hassan Musa Katsina Streets, part of Jasse Martin, NIA, and TY Danjuma Street are without power supply.
“It said also affected are Lugbe, Jedo, Forte Royal, Back Of Dunamics, Customs Quarters, Aviation Village Piwoye Kapwa Ok Water, Nicomsat, Korean School and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,”.
It attributed the power outage to a technical fault.
“The technical team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently working to restore the power supply.
“We regret the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding,” AEDC said.
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