Rhoda Gumus

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Rhoda Gumus
Born (1953-07-21) July 21, 1953 (age 71)
Koroama, Bayelsa State
Citizenship Nigerian
EducationMSc, Rivers State University of Science and Technology; PhD, Loughborough University
Alma mater Loughborough University Rivers State University of Science and Technology
OccupationElectoral Commissioner
Years active2023-date
OrganizationNational Electoral Commission
Website inecnigeria.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 [1] and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 2 February 2022. [2]

Contents

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. [3]

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. [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]

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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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