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Rhoda Gumus

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Nigerian Electoral Commissioner

Rhoda Gumus
Born (1953-07-21) July 21, 1953 (age 71)
Koroama, Bayelsa State
CitizenshipNigerian
EducationMSc, Rivers State University of Science and Technology; PhD, Loughborough University
Alma materLoughborough University Rivers State University of Science and Technology
OccupationElectoral Commissioner
Years active2023-date
OrganizationNational Electoral Commission
Websiteinecnigeria.org

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 and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 2 February 2022.

Education

Gumus 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.

Controversy

Gumus'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. A purported "party membership card" was widely reported and copiously reproduced by newspapers across Nigeria as belonging to Gumus. The main opposition party in Nigeria, the People's Democratic Party rejected her appointment and confirmation by the Senate. Citizens wrote several petitions against her nomination and the senate was criticised for not publicly addressing those petitions before her confirmation. 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. The CNG however replied that they were willing to meet in court over the allegations.

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". The election is keenly contested between All Progressives Congress, the People's Democratic Party and the Labour Party and Gumus' statement comes against the backdrop of perceptions that Nigeria's partisan elections are heavily influenced by corruption.

References

  1. "INEC Nominee: 7 Months After Onochie's Rejection, Buhari Nominates Another APC Member – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 26 January 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  2. Shibayan, Dyepkazah (2 February 2022). "Senate confirms INEC commissioner nominee accused of being an APC member". TheCable. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  3. "National Commissioners – INEC Nigeria". www.inecnigeria.org. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  4. 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.
  5. PM News (7 February 2022). "PDP spits fire over confirmation of Gumus as INEC Commissioner". pmnewsnigeria.com.
  6. Adewole, Segun (7 February 2022). "PDP rejects confirmation of APC's Rhoda Gumus as INEC commissioner". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  7. Ibeh, Nnenna (7 February 2022). "APC insensitive to Nigerians - PDP fumes over confirmation of INEC commissioner". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  8. Olisah, Chike (2 February 2022). "Senate confirms 6 INEC National Commissioners, 1 REC, despite petition". Nairametrics. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  9. Ewepu, Gabriel (28 January 2022). "CSO petitions Senate over Prof Gumus' nomination as INEC commissioner". vanguardngr.com.
  10. The Nation (12 February 2022). "INEC Commissioner Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action". thenationonlineng.net.
  11. Folaranmi, Femi (11 February 2022). "Prof. Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action". thesun.ng.
  12. Ewepu, Gabriel (12 February 2022). "INEC Appointment: CSO replies Prof Gumus' legal team, we're ready to meet in court". vanguardngr.com.
  13. Vanguard (21 September 2024). "I'm in charge of Edo, won't take bribe – INEC commissioner, Gumus vows". vanguardngr.com.
  14. Egobiambu, Emmanuel (21 September 2024). "[VIDEO] Edo Poll: I'm In Charge, Won't Take Bribe, INEC Commissioner Gumus Pledges". channelstv.com.
  15. 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.
  16. "#EdoDecides: I won't take bribes no matter how much –INEC Commissioner - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  17. "Edo state governorship election result update". BBC News Pidgin. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  18. Chironda, Melody (18 May 2023). "Unmasking Corruption: Examining Nigeria's 2023 Election Fallout". premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  19. Mcleon, Ruth. "Opposition Parties in Nigeria Call for Election Rerun, Citing Vote Rigging". The New York Times.
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