Etekamba Umoren, the new Delta State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner successfully conducted his first public function during the Delta State House of Assembly re-run election in Burutu and Ethiope West Constituencies.
Umoren sworn in by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday, February 1, 2024 was deployed to Delta State.
He is one of the 10 RECs appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October last year. While the remaining nine were sworn in December 2023, the commission said Mr Umoren would be sworn in when the tenure of his predecessor, Monday Udo-Tom, another Akwa Ibom son whose tenure of office expired January 29.
Umoren who spoke with journalists after the bye-election on Saturday in Asaba after monitoring the election said, ”I will describe the election as being very successful because of the polling units that we visited, the voters, party agents and even the security agents who were there were happy.
Also read: Umoren Appointed Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner
”There was no shortage of voting materials. The BVAS worked perfectly and you can see the cordial relationship between the voters.
‘‘So, I must say that the election is successful.”
He, however, noted that there was still need for improvement if necessary in subsequent elections.
On her part, the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu said, ”the election is so peaceful.
”Everyone is here to perform their civic right. For me it is important.
“Though there was not enough time for campaigns, with what we are seeing today , people just want to put an end to this by getting a representative at the State House of Assembly.”
However, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement at the regular weekly meeting of the Commission that Umoren’s swearing-in and deployment followed the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office on Monday, January 29, 2024.
An indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Umoren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Benin and served in various capacities in the Akwa Ibom State civil service, rising to the position of Permanent Secretary.
INEC Chairman Yakubu urged the new REC to adhere strictly to his oath of office which requires neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of his duties.
He also enjoined the new REC to abide by the Commission’s Code of Conduct and sustain regular consultations with stakeholders.
