The newly sworn-in RECs are Prof. C.E. Onukaogu (Abia), Prof. Tukur Sa'ad (Adamawa), Ahmad Makama (Bauchi), Mr. Mike Igini (Delta), Prof. Selina Omagha Oko (Ebonyi), Mr. Edwin Offor Nwartarali ( Enugu ), Alhaji Yakubu Shehu (Kaduna), Alhaji Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa (Kano), Hassan Ahmed Mahuta (Katsina), Abubakar Umar Garba Wara (Kebbi) and Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo (Kogi).

Others are Ambassador (Dr.) Rufus O. Akeju (Lagos), Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Danyaya (Niger), Mr. Timothy A. Ibitoye (Osun), Dr. A.L. Ogunmola (Oyo), Dr. Rose Obuoforibo (Rivers), Mallam Haliru A. Tambawei (Sokoto), Mallam Kassim Gana Galdam (Yobe) and Ibrahim Bagobiri Marafa (Zamfara).

The oath of office was administered on them by INEC Director of Legal Services Ibrahim Bawa.

n an official communication he sent to the Senate President David Mark and read to the senators before the commencement of yesterday's plenary, Jonathan urged the Senate to confirm the nominations of Ambassador Mohammed Wali from Sokoto (North-west) and Dr. Christopher Ehimoga from Nasarawa (North-central) as INEC National Commissioners.

The two are to replace Ambassador Mohammed Anka and Maj. Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman who were dropped in June over their membership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The remaining INEC nominees have since been screened and approved by the Senate and sworn in by the President.

Also yesterday, the President sought Senate's approval for two nominees into the Supreme Court, Justices S. Galadima (North-central) and B. Rhodes-Vivor (South-west) to replace retired Justices Idris Kutigi and A. Aderemi respectively.

Jonathan urged the Senate to give the nominees' screening accelerated consideration.

Fresh from its retreat in Calabar, Cross River State, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chiefs met to map out strategies for the 2011 polls, the commission's Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday read out the riot act to the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Jega said his directive to the RECs is necessary in order to maintain the independence of INEC, saying, "you will agree with me that such measures are essential in ensuring public confidence in your work."

He also urged RECs to exercise caution in their relationship with the state governors, explaining that this directive is as a result of reports reaching the commission.

Jega said the most important task before the commission as it prepares for the 2011 elections is the display of the voters' register.

"One of the most important priorities facing us now is to display the existing voters register across the country. The success of this exercise would depend on you. You are therefore requested to make a serious assessment of your operational readiness and capabilities at the state and local government offices for this exercise and subsequent ones as we move towards the election."

He said INEC believes that credible elections are not only feasible, but it is incumbent on the commission to strive to do its best in ensuring the elections are credible, urging them to bear that in mind.