THE Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) will today unveil the list of candidates for governorship and state assemblies elections. It would also release the list of candidates for Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) council elections.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja while swearing in the new Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bayelsa State, Elder Monday Udo Tom.
Professor Yakubu further disclosed that the list would be officially released at the commission offices across the 36 states in the federation.
The INEC chairman advised the new REC to discharge his duties, conscientiously.
He said: “As I told your colleagues on the occasion of their swearing-in as Resident Electoral Commissioners, you will also be responsible for the implementation of the Commission’s policies. In doing so, you will exercise supervisory control over personnel, resources as well the legal and administrative processes in the State to which you are posted. You will also interact with various categories of stakeholders. In doing so, you must maintain the required openness and consultation. At the same time, you must be very firm and courageous on the side of the law as well as our regulations and guidelines at all times as required of an unbiased umpire.
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Furthermore, as a REC, you can be posted to any part of the country at any time as the exigencies of service require. For now, you will be posted to a State within your geopolitical zone but you will never serve in you State of origin throughout your tenure. In line with this principle, you are hereby deployed to Bayelsa State.
Your appointment is coming just 16 days to the 2019 General Elections. We have already implemented 10 out of the 14 activities in our timetable and schedule of activities. The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published in all our State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website, tomorrow Thursday 31st January 2019.”
The new REC thanked the Commission for the confidence reposed in him while promising to be fair to all the political actors and stakeholders in Bayelsa state.
“I will make sure that all Nigerians are treated fairly. I wish to state that I am contented with what God has given to me. I don’t intend to enrich myself in the course of my duty “
and then