New INEC REC Resumes Duty in Taraba

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a change in leadership at its Taraba State office, following the redeployment of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the country.

Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris on Tuesday, April 15, 2026, assumed duty as the 22nd Resident Electoral Commissioner in Taraba State, taking over from Alhaji Umar Mukhtar Gajiram, who has been redeployed to Gombe State.

Until his redeployment, Dr. Idris served as REC in Gombe State, where he was credited with providing strategic leadership and strengthening electoral administration in line with the commission’s mandate.

Dr. Idris is a seasoned administrator and academic with over three decades of experience in the Nigerian public service, particularly in training, capacity development, and institutional management. He holds a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University and a Ph.D. in Labour Economics from Renmin University of China, obtained under a Chinese Government scholarship.

His career spans several strategic roles, including Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), where he was serving his second term prior to his latest appointment. He has also held positions in training and administration across various institutions, contributing to policy development and human capacity building.

A Fellow and member of several professional bodies, Dr. Idris has participated in international conferences and authored scholarly works on elections and electoral reforms.

INEC, in a statement signed by Ngunan Raphael Iyongo, welcomed the new REC and expressed confidence in his ability to further strengthen the electoral process in Taraba State.

The commission also commended the outgoing REC, Alhaji Umar Mukhtar Gajiram, for his service in the state and wished him success in his new assignment in Gombe State.