Gombe REC Tours LGAs, Reassures Citizens of Credible Voter Registration
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Gombe State, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delivering a transparent and credible Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state.
Dr. Idris gave this assurance during a four-day familiarization tour of the eleven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Gombe State. The tour allowed him to inspect ongoing registration activities, engage with stakeholders, and better understand the peculiar challenges of each community.
While speaking during the visits, the REC expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the registration exercise so far. He urged all eligible citizens, especially young people who have just attained the voting age, to take advantage of the year-long exercise to register and gain access to other electoral services.
According to him, registering early would reduce last-minute rush and help INEC plan more effectively ahead of future elections. He further explained that CVR is not just about new registrations, but also includes services such as transfer of voter details, replacement of lost or damaged cards, and correction of personal information.
The tour began on Tuesday, September 9th, at the Bambam Sub-office in Balanga LGA. Dr. Idris was warmly received by the Electoral Officer (EO), Mr. Kabiru Jauro, and other staff of the Commission. The EO explained that the sub-office was strategically created to ease logistics due to the difficult terrain of the area, which often makes movement challenging for both staff and residents.
From Balanga, the REC moved on to Kaltungo, Shongom, Billiri, and Akko LGAs. At each stop, he inspected registration centres, interacted with staff, and held discussions with community leaders and stakeholders. He used the opportunity to listen to concerns, including complaints about logistics and access, and assured stakeholders that INEC would address these matters in line with its constitutional mandate.
On the second day, the REC and his team visited Talasse, the headquarters of Balanga LGA. There, he addressed prospective registrants who were waiting to be attended to, inspected facilities, and expressed concern over the damage caused to a section of the office roof by a recent rainstorm. He promised that the matter would be promptly reported to the headquarters for urgent intervention.
Later in the day, Dr. Idris visited Yamaltu-Deba LGA, where he held a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss contentious issues around the registration process. The meeting, which included community leaders, political actors, and civil society representatives, ended with a unanimous resolution. The REC commended participants for adopting dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully and promised to forward the resolutions to INEC’s national headquarters for further action.
The third and fourth days of the familiarization tour took Dr. Idris and his team to the northern parts of the state, where they visited Nafada, Funakaye, Kwami, Dukku, and finally rounded up at Gombe LGA.
At each location, he interacted with electoral officers, monitored CVR activities, and reassured both staff and registrants of INEC’s determination to provide equal opportunities for every eligible citizen to participate in the democratic process.
One of the key highlights of the tour was Dr. Idris’s recognition of the dedication and sacrifices of INEC staff across the state. He described them as the “foot soldiers of the Commission” who carry the heavy responsibility of delivering free and fair elections.
“You are the foot soldiers of the Commission and carry huge responsibilities on your shoulders as field staff. The Commission values your contributions and is counting on you to consolidate the gains of the last decade,” he stated.
The REC encouraged Electoral Officers to adopt problem-solving approaches, remain proactive, and stay committed to the core values of integrity, transparency, and professionalism. He stressed that the credibility of elections often depends on how well frontline staff manage the registration process and build trust with the public.
Stakeholders across the LGAs expressed satisfaction with the REC’s visit, describing it as a confidence-building step. Many community leaders said the familiarization tour demonstrated INEC’s seriousness in addressing local challenges and improving the credibility of elections in the state.
Civil society representatives also lauded the Commission for making the CVR exercise accessible to remote communities. They urged eligible citizens not to sit back but to seize the opportunity to register and ensure their voices are heard during elections.
Dr. Idris rounded off the four-day tour with a renewed call on political leaders, community elders, and civil society groups to continue mobilizing citizens for voter registration. He emphasized that credible elections begin with a credible register, and the responsibility of building that register rests on both the Commission and the people.
As the CVR exercise continues in Gombe State, the REC’s tour has not only highlighted the progress made so far but also reassured citizens that INEC is committed to ensuring inclusiveness, fairness, and professionalism in the electoral process.
For many observers, the familiarization tour has sent a clear message: INEC in Gombe State is not only listening but also acting to ensure every eligible voter gets the chance to participate in shaping Nigeria’s democracy.
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