The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi state.
Dr Tersoo is one of the 11 RECs redeployed to new states. He was redeployed from Plateau state.
Before his appointment by INEC, Dr. Tersoo was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Benue State University, Makurdi
His predecessor, Prof Gabriel Hale Longpet was redeployed to Kwara state.
The officials and their new postings include: Aminu Idris who was redeployed to the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet (Kwara), Prof. Gabriel Yomeri (Rivers), Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo (Kogi), Mahmuda Isah (Zamfara), Mohammed Abubakar Sadio (Plateau), Mohammed Bulama Nura (Adamawa). Others are Prof. Saidu Babura Ahmed (Kaduna), Umar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Isah Shaka Ehimeakhe (Bayelsa), and Obo OEffanga (Akwa Ibom).
This was made known during the swearing in of six new Resident Electoral Commissioners.
The ceremony, held at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja, was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The newly sworn-in RECs include Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, who was posted to Cross River State; Mukhtar Umar Gajiram (Taraba State); Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris (Gombe State); Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi (Ogun State); Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako (Abia State); and Umar Yusuf Garba (Sokoto State).
Yakubu noted that two of the appointees, Sinikiem and Gajiram, were reappointed for a second term.
The INEC chairman charged the RECs to adhere strictly to the electoral legal framework, uphold the code of conduct, and engage stakeholders transparently.
He warned against acts of defiance or indiscretion, noting that RECs would be held accountable for their actions. 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.
“As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the commission’s operations.”
While urging the new appointees to always act in good conscience, Yakubu advised them not to betray their oath of office.
“In the best tradition of the commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms,” he said. He noted that their appointment was a full-time and not part-time responsibility, urging them to provide leadership and exercise effective supervision.
“It is also important to understand and operate within the limits of your delegated powers and responsibilities. Our state offices are part and parcel of the commission. You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences.
“We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC,” he warned.
