By Joy Odor
As part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Gombe State, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, embarked on a series of strategic visits to four key institutions, all members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The tour, which took place today, Thursday underscored the Commission’s commitment to transparency, voter education, and election security as preparations begin for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
At the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dr. Idris praised the agency for its decisive actions against vote buying and selling a major threat to credible elections.
He informed the Zonal Director, Austine Adache, about the CVR and emphasized the need for continued collaboration.
In response, Adache revealed that three convictions related to electoral offences have already been secured in the state, reaffirming EFCC’s commitment to electoral integrity.
He pledged full support to the Commission’s operations, including capacity-building initiatives championed by the REC.
Also, the REC visited the Gombe State Secretariat of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), where he commended the role of Corps members in supporting Nigeria’s electoral system.
He assured the State Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachukwu, that the welfare and safety of Corps members deployed for election duties remain a top priority for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Idris sought a stronger partnership in mobilizing and sensitizing the electorate ahead of the CVR.
He also announced plans to include NOA staff in INEC’s monthly capacity-building and knowledge-sharing sessions, starting later this month, to enhance understanding of the Commission’s functions.
The final visit was to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), where the Controller, Salihu Abdullahi, expressed enthusiasm about deepening collaboration.
He offered full cooperation in training correctional officers on electoral matters and welcomed legislative efforts that may allow inmates and security personnel to vote in the 2027 general elections, pending amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner was accompanied on the tour by a delegation of senior INEC officials, including:
Fadimatu Aliyu Bakari – Acting Administrative Secretary
Audu Mamuda Dauya – HOD, Electoral Operations
Rifkatu Duku – HOD, Voter Education and Publicity
Gambo Arabi – HOD, Election and Party Monitoring
Kundum Nenfort Patrick, Esq. – HOD, Legal Services
Engr. Bitson Filibus – HOD, Voter Registry/ICT
Babayo Isa – HOD, Finance and Accounts
Mohorret Bigun – State Public Affairs Officer
The visits mark a key step in fostering cross-agency coordination and public engagement, essential for the successful implementation of the upcoming voter registration exercise and future electoral processes.
