From Douglas Blessing, Port Harcourt
The outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Mr Obongo Effanga has urged staff of the Commission to always abide by the rules of law in the discharge their duties.
Effanga spoke in Port Harcourt, during a sent forth ceremony organised by the Commission for his completion of five years tenure in Rivers.
He urged the staff to emulate humility and focus on the cause of their duties to enable them succeed in their jobs.
Effanga further urged them not to be distracted from every action or words that comes their way while serving, stressing that his tenure was successful because he learnt from everyone in the state while doing his job.
He noted that people who wouldn’t stick to the rules of the Commission during elections paid badly for it, urging politicians and voters to follow the rules of the Commission during the election.
“I think that people have learn that the only way to win election is to talk to voters to vote for you and let your vote be counted,” he said.
The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the Commission for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.
He expressed satisfaction for the given opportunity to serve the nation, adding that there were difficult times but he pulled through because he was committed to service.
“I have been committed to the Nigerian process all through my life in governance, even before I was appointed by INEC as a result of my past work in engaging the government at different levels, trying to ensure good governance,
“Following through with the election, questioning processes, making suggestions for improvement and I think this gave me the opportunity to be identified and invited to serve in INEC,
“I have been doing electoral work for a long time, so weather am in INEC or not I will still be interested in the electoral process and if the opportunity is within INEC and am given the chance, I will take it, if its outside INEC and am called to serve and strengthen the electoral process, I will still do that,” Effanga stated.
Meanwhile, Mr Richter Alabraba,the Administrative Secretary of the Commission has promised that the staff of the Commission would remain focus in their jobs.
Alabraba described the outgoing REC as a humble man who is focus, resilience and gender friendly.
