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| Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson |
A new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Cross River State, Dr. Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson has been sworn in.
Dr. Johnson, an indigene of Bayelsa Sate, takes over from Dr. Frankland Briyai who resigned last year to contest the Bayelsa gubernatorial election.
He (Johnson) was sworn in alongside Dr. Umar Gajiram from Borno State as REC, Taraba State.
Dr. Johnson who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018 was last year appointed Special Adviser on Investment Matters to Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
Prior to his defection, Dr. Johnson contested and lost the APC gobernorship primaries in his home state in 2015.
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| Dr. Johnson's governorship poster in 2015 (Credit: Facebook) |
Johnson holds a BSc degree in Political Science and Masters and Doctorate degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies.
“In doing so, you must maintain the required openness and consultation. At the same time, you must be very firm in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.
He said that there would be no substitution of candidates because they were not bye-elections but court-ordered re-run elections and that the period for nomination of candidates had lapsed since the end of 2018 in preparation for the 2019 general election.
“On Saturday this week, elections will hold in 28 constituencies spread across 11 States of the Federation. Six of these elections involve entire constituencies while 22 elections will be held only in some polling units.
“In all the constituencies, the elections will be contested by the same political parties and candidates that participated in the 2019 general election except where the elections were nullified on grounds of candidate disqualification,” Mahmood added.
The INEC chairman assured Nigerians that the commission was ready for the re-run elections.
“All sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the States, stakeholders’ meetings have been held, securityarrangements are being finalised while training and posting of ad hoc staff as well as the configuration of Smart Card Readers are ongoing.
“Where the elections involve entire constituencies, National as well as some
“The Commission will work with the security agencies to ensure adequate protection of election officials, accredited observers, the media and the processes against acts inimical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.
“We have received assurances from the security agencies of adequate protection of the processes in line with the rules of engagement for election duty,” Mahmood said.
Speaking on behalf the new RECs, Dr. Johnson said they were grateful for the opportunity given to them to serve Nigeria.
He pledged that they would work with the commission in executing the mandate given to it be the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was to conduct credible elections.
“We shall ensure free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“We will also work to deepen and sustain the democracy of Nigeria,” Johnson said.
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