Smooth Transition As New REC Assumes Office In Gombe INEC
The Gombe State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, witnessed a seamless transition on Monday as Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris officially took over as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) from Alhaji Ibrahim Umar.
The handover ceremony, held at the INEC office in Gombe, brought together top officials including the Administrative Secretary and Heads of Departments such as Legal, Electoral Operations, and Finance.
The event began with a solemn prayer and remarks from the Administrative Secretary, who reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to integrity and smooth leadership transitions.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing REC, Alhaji Umar reflected on his tenure, noting challenges like windstorms that damaged some LGA offices.
He, however, described the state as relatively stable and expressed full confidence in his successor’s ability to steer the office forward.
In response, Dr Idris thanked his predecessor for the warm welcome and detailed handover.
He urged staff to uphold professionalism, teamwork, and transparency, describing these values as the bedrock of INEC’s work.
Emphasising openness and innovation, he encouraged staff to approach him with fresh ideas to advance the Commission’s mission.
The ceremony concluded with the signing of the handover notes and a symbolic group photograph.
Afterwards, both RECs inspected the official residence and the zonal store to assess facilities and ensure a smooth start for the incoming REC.
Wasting no time, Dr Idris held strategy meetings with management and later interacted with the general staff in a meet-and-greet session which underscores his commitment to inclusive leadership.
A meeting with all Electoral Officers is set for next week, marking the next step in what appears to be a well-coordinated leadership handover in Gombe.
