INEC Swears In Six New RECs, Announces 2026 Governorship Election Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally sworn in six new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill existing vacancies across the country, a move the commission Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu described as a “critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.”

The swearing in ceremony held at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja was attended by key officials, including National Commissioners, Hon. Secretary to the Commission, Directors, and family members of the appointees.

In his remarks, Prof. Yakubu welcomed the new appointees, noting that their deployment completes the Commission’s staffing in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He emphasized the significance of their roles, describing the conduct of elections as not only a major responsibility but a “sacred duty.”

“Your appointment is a full-time and not part-time responsibility. You must provide leadership and exercise effective supervision,” the INEC Chairman stated. He reminded the new RECs of the need to operate within the confines of the law, uphold their oaths, and engage constructively with stakeholders while maintaining transparency and professionalism. The newly sworn-in RECs include two returning appointees—Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram—who are beginning a second term, and four new REcs: Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, both former INEC staff; Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a legal practitioner; and Umar Yusuf Garba, an experienced private sector administrator. Prof. Yakubu further announced the deployment of the new RECs within their respective geopolitical zones—excluding their states of origin—as part of INEC’s policy to enhance neutrality and reduce conflicts of interest. The postings announced by Prof. Yakubu were: Dr Sa’ad Umar (Gombe State) Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem (Cross Rivers State) , Mrs. Feyijimi Ibiyemi (Ogun State), Mukhtar Umar Gajiram (Taraba State), Chukwuemeka C ibeziako (Abia State) and Umar Yusuf Garba (Sokoto State).

The occasion also saw the announcement of the timetable for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. The Ekiti election is scheduled for June 20, 2026, with party primaries running from October 20 to November 10, 2025. The Osun election will follow on August 8, 2026, with primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025.