Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

As has been the norm, each REC has been posted to a state other than his state of origin but within his geopolitical zone.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu has been sent to Enugu State; Mr Mike Igini, Cross River REC is now in charge of Edo State; Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niger State, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo has been redeployed to Kwara State while a one time Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State, Dr Gabriel Ada has been moved to Imo State.
Others who have been redeployed and their new states include : Baba Abba Yusuf- Adamawa, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad – Bauchi; Ahmad Makama- Taraba; Selina

Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

As has been the norm, each REC has been posted to a state other than his state of origin but within his geopolitical zone.

The key points from the redeployment are that – the current REC for Plateau, Mr Habu Zarma (who hails from Gombe state) has been redeployed to Yobe, while a new REC, Mr. Kwanga Godwin (who hails from Benue state), has been posted to Plateau. 

The only REC who hails from Plateau, Prof. Istifanus Ishaku Dafwang who was hitherto in Gombe State, has been posted to Benue state.

According to the time table earlier released by INEC the 2015 presidential and National Assembly election will hold on February 14 while February 28 has been set aside for the governorship and state assembly elections.

The re-deployment which was conveyed in a letter marked INEC/SEC/402/ VOLIII/312 and addressed to all RECs directed the electoral chiefs to conclude all handing and taking over formalities by Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, who signed the letter congratulated the RECs on their new postings which she said has been approved by the Commission.

Our correspondent learnt that redeployments ahead of crucial elections has become a tradition in INEC designed to enhance neutrality and impartiality of the electoral umpire. A source at the Commission described it as a “routine exercise” to create a level playing field and forestall possible manipulations by some RECs who might have served too long in a particular state.

“You know, election is a highly sensitive exercise and the Commission will not want to leave anything to chance.

Some of these RECs have served in these states since the last general elections and may have become stakeholders in these places. So, it is better to reshuffle them and put everyone on his or her toes for the next assignment which is less than too months away,” he said.

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Plateau INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) redeployed to Yobe, new REC posted to Plateau