Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
In a build up to Edo and Ondo States elections, the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has reiterated his position that the commission would not be distracted by all manners of allegations leveled against the officials of the commission by politicians and other stakeholders in the electoral process, adding that, the commission will solidly stand by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) as well as other officials of the commission.
Prof Yakubu dropped this on Tuesday in Abuja while fielding question from battery of reporters immediately after a new REC, Dr Tella Adeniran Rahman took the oath office at the INEC headquarters.
Prof Yakubu stated that, for the purpose of diverting attention, some people slam slanderous accusations on INEC officials, assuring that the commission would not be distracted in carrying out the onerous task of conducting elections.
According to him, “Let me say this that we will stand by our Resident Electoral Commissioners. You know the kind of job we are doing, on the eve of elections, all manner of people come with all manner of accusations to slander officials of the commission, essentially to divert our attention from the onerous task of conducting elections in Nigeria.
“We won’t be distracted. We know all these shenanigans, people have been doing this to distract us from doing what is right. My assurance to the people of Edo and the people of Ondo and the people of the 14 constituencies where we are going to conduct bye-elections on October 31is that they should expect from INEC free, fair, credible elections, professional conduct.
“We will not compromise our oath of office for any reason. Whoever the people vote for becomes their governor or representative. This is our assurance to Nigerians.”
On INEC’s preparation for Edo and Ondo elections, the INEC boss added that, “I returned only over the weekend from Benin and part of what we did was to engage with our own staff to ensure that they behave according to the laws and also engage with the security agencies to ensure that they secure the environment for us to conduct election, and we visited important stakeholders, including the Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
“So we are concerned, but we are leaving no stone unturned in speaking to the political actors, to the respected voices like the Oba of Benin as well as the security agencies to ensure hitch-free election.”
Professor Yakubu, thereby charge the new REC to be prudent with the management of personnel and resources under his authority. He added that, Electoral Act, regulations and guidelines as well as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be his watchdog.
According to the INEC chair, “Your appointment is coming on the eve of the Edo state governorship election that will be holding on the Saturday 19th of September, then on the 10th of October, it would be the turn of the people of Ondo state to elect their governor.
“Then on the 31st of October, the commission will conduct 13 bye-elections in 10 states of the federation.
“So you are welcome board. You are going to be responsible for personnel and resources in the state in which you are going to be deployed. You can manage resources prudently. You should be firm, you should always be cognisant of the fact that ours is an onerous responsibility and you must always be on the side of the electoral acts and regulations and guidelines and above all the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You are from Osun state, you will never throughout your career serve in Osun state, but you can be deployed to any part of the country. The policy of the commission at the moment is to deploy RECs to their geo-political zones but on no account will you serve in your state of origin. On this note, let me welcome you on board, and let me also say that you have been deployed to Ekiti state as the Resident Electoral Commissioner.”
In his remarks, the new REC, Dr. Rahman pledged “to carry out the ordinances of the commission to the latter and act in accordance with the law that established the commission.”
He also promised to follow the rules and regulations, and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeriain discharging his responsibility.