Rhoda Gumus is a Nigerian professor of chemical engineering. She is a Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria. She was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari[1] and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 2 February 2022.[2]
Rhoda Gumus | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 21, 1953 (age 71) Koroama, Bayelsa State |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Education | MSc, Rivers State University of Science and Technology; PhD, Loughborough University |
| Alma mater | Loughborough University Rivers State University of Science and Technology |
| Occupation | Electoral Commissioner |
| Years active | 2023-date |
| Organization | National Electoral Commission |
| Website | inecnigeria |
Education
editGumus was born on 21 July 1953 in Koroama town of Bayelsa State. She studied for a Higher National Diploma from the College of Science and Technology, Rivers State and a Master of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. She further obtained a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University, UK.[3]
Controversy
editGumus's appointment as a National Electoral commissioner by President Buhari became controversial in 2022 due to allegations that she was a member of the All Progressives Congress.[4] A purported "party membership card" was widely reported and copiously reproduced by newspapers across Nigeria as belonging to Gumus.[5] The main opposition party in Nigeria, the People's Democratic Party rejected her appointment and confirmation by the Senate.[6][7] Citizens wrote several petitions against her nomination and the senate was criticised for not publicly addressing those petitions before her confirmation.[8][9] Gumus denied membership of any political party. She threatened legal action against the Concerned Nigerians Group (CNG) a civil rights group and other news sources who had carried the news and demanded a retraction.[10][11] The CNG however replied that they were willing to meet in court over the allegations.[12]
During the Edo State Governorship election which took place on 21 September 2024, Gumus was reported as saying "I am in charge, I wont take bribes...nobody will try me".[13][14][15] The election is keenly contested between All Progressives Congress, the People's Democratic Party and the Labour Party[16][17] and Gumus' statement comes against the backdrop of perceptions that Nigeria's partisan elections are heavily influenced by corruption.[18][19]
References
edit- ^ "INEC Nominee: 7 Months After Onochie's Rejection, Buhari Nominates Another APC Member – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 26 January 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (2 February 2022). "Senate confirms INEC commissioner nominee accused of being an APC member". TheCable. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "National Commissioners – INEC Nigeria". www.inecnigeria.org. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Ero, Adekunbi; Perishable (4 February 2022). "Gumus' Controversial INEC Appointment: Iyasere, Ex-PDP Spokesman Urges Political Parties to Drag Buhari to Court". TELL Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ PM News (7 February 2022). "PDP spits fire over confirmation of Gumus as INEC Commissioner". pmnewsnigeria.com.
- ^ Adewole, Segun (7 February 2022). "PDP rejects confirmation of APC's Rhoda Gumus as INEC commissioner". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Ibeh, Nnenna (7 February 2022). "APC insensitive to Nigerians - PDP fumes over confirmation of INEC commissioner". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Olisah, Chike (2 February 2022). "Senate confirms 6 INEC National Commissioners, 1 REC, despite petition". Nairametrics. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Ewepu, Gabriel (28 January 2022). "CSO petitions Senate over Prof Gumus' nomination as INEC commissioner". vanguardngr.com.
- ^ The Nation (12 February 2022). "INEC Commissioner Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action". thenationonlineng.net.
- ^ Folaranmi, Femi (11 February 2022). "Prof. Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action". thesun.ng.
- ^ Ewepu, Gabriel (12 February 2022). "INEC Appointment: CSO replies Prof Gumus' legal team, we're ready to meet in court". vanguardngr.com.
- ^ Vanguard (21 September 2024). "I'm in charge of Edo, won't take bribe – INEC commissioner, Gumus vows". vanguardngr.com.
- ^ Egobiambu, Emmanuel (21 September 2024). "[VIDEO] Edo Poll: I'm In Charge, Won't Take Bribe, INEC Commissioner Gumus Pledges". channelstv.com.
- ^ Chibundu, Janefrances (21 September 2024). "Edo INEC commissioner: I won't take any bribe -- nobody will try it with me". TheCable. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "#EdoDecides: I won't take bribes no matter how much –INEC Commissioner - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "Edo state governorship election result update". BBC News Pidgin. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Chironda, Melody (18 May 2023). "Unmasking Corruption: Examining Nigeria's 2023 Election Fallout". premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Mcleon, Ruth. "Opposition Parties in Nigeria Call for Election Rerun, Citing Vote Rigging". The New York Times.