Like a general on parade, dishing out orders to selected, tested, and trusted soldiers before an important battle, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has given his ‘Commanders’ in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) eight commandments which he described as “your best protection against mischief”.

He charged the National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners to work with their staff and be guided by the provisions of the law and various regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections.

He warned them not to be visitors to Government Houses; and avoid holding unofficial meetings with politicians. They were advised to conduct all matters pertaining to official responsibilities in the office to be attended by the relevant staff and properly documented.

Others are for the Commissioners not to compromise the neutrality of the Commission or create the perception of partisanship; to be transparent and nonpartisan while remaining firm and courageous; that they owe nothing to any individual but owe everything to the Nigerian people; and ensure that the choices the people make on election day prevail.

He said that ” it is their decision and INEC, and its officials are only administering the process in trust, supported by technology,” he stressed.

Prof. Yakubu rolled out the golden “dos” and “don’ts” for a successful 2023 general elections on Thursday at the swearing – in ceremony of 19 Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.

The chairman of Senate electoral committee, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya from Kano state, had In October this year, given INEC the go – ahead to inaugurate the cleared nominees some of whom had ton es of petitions against their nominations as Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC).

The new Resident Electoral Commissioners include Professors, two lawyers, an accountant, a retired ambassador and six civil/public servants.

The Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) who were sworn in on Thursday are Ibrahim Abdullahi (from Adamawa), Obo Effanga (Cross River), Umar Ibrahim (Taraba), Agboke Olaleke (Ogun), Samuel Egwu (Kogi), Onyeka Ugochi (Imo), Muhammed Bashir (Sokoto), Ayobami Salami (Oyo),

Others are Zango Abdu (Katsina), Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Ebonyi) and Agunndu Tersoo (from Benue),Yomere Oritsemlebi, Delta; Yahaya Ibrahim Makarfi, Kaduna; Nura Ali, Kano; Agu Uchenna, Enugu; Ahmed Yushau Garki, FCT; Hudu Yunusa, Bauchi; Uzochukwu Chijioke, Anambra and Mohammad Nura from Yobe .

Prof. Yakubu charged the REC to hold their allegiance to the country. His words: “Our loyalty is to Nigeria and our allegiance is to Nigerians. Only their votes should determine winners in the 2023 General Election. Nothing more, nothing less. We are aware that the task ahead of us is not easy, but we must never disappoint Nigerians”.