Rhoda Gumus Explained

Birth Date:July 21, 1953 (age 71)
Birth Place:Koroama, Bayelsa State
Citizenship:Nigerian
Education:MSc, Rivers State University of Science and Technology; PhD, Loughborough University
Alma Mater:Loughborough UniversityRivers State University of Science and Technology
Occupation:Electoral Commissioner
Years Active:2023-date
Organization:National Electoral Commission

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]

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-01-26 . INEC Nominee: 7 Months After Onochie's Rejection, Buhari Nominates Another APC Member – Independent Newspaper Nigeria . 2024-09-21 . en-GB.
  2. Web site: Shibayan . Dyepkazah . 2022-02-02 . Senate confirms INEC commissioner nominee accused of being an APC member . 2024-09-21 . TheCable . en-US.
  3. Web site: National Commissioners – INEC Nigeria . 2024-09-21 . www.inecnigeria.org . en-US.
  4. Web site: Ero . Adekunbi . Perishable . 2022-02-04 . Gumus' Controversial INEC Appointment: Iyasere, Ex-PDP Spokesman Urges Political Parties to Drag Buhari to Court . 2024-09-21 . TELL Magazine . en-US.
  5. Web site: PM News . February 7, 2022 . PDP spits fire over confirmation of Gumus as INEC Commissioner . pmnewsnigeria.com.
  6. Web site: Adewole . Segun . 2022-02-07 . PDP rejects confirmation of APC's Rhoda Gumus as INEC commissioner . 2024-09-21 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  7. Web site: Ibeh . Nnenna . 2022-02-07 . APC insensitive to Nigerians - PDP fumes over confirmation of INEC commissioner . 2024-09-21 . Legit.ng - Nigeria news. . en.
  8. Web site: Olisah . Chike . 2022-02-02 . Senate confirms 6 INEC National Commissioners, 1 REC, despite petition . 2024-09-21 . Nairametrics . en-US.
  9. Web site: Ewepu . Gabriel . January 28, 2022 . CSO petitions Senate over Prof Gumus' nomination as INEC commissioner . vanguardngr.com.
  10. Web site: The Nation . February 12, 2022 . INEC Commissioner Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action . thenationonlineng.net.
  11. Web site: Folaranmi . Femi . Prof. Gumus denies APC membership, threatens legal action . thesun.ng. 11 February 2022 .
  12. Web site: Ewepu . Gabriel . February 12, 2022 . INEC Appointment: CSO replies Prof Gumus' legal team, we're ready to meet in court . vanguardngr.com.
  13. Web site: Vanguard . September 21, 2024 . I'm in charge of Edo, won't take bribe – INEC commissioner, Gumus vows . vanguardngr.com.
  14. Web site: Egobiambu . Emmanuel . September 21, 2024 . [VIDEO] Edo Poll: I'm In Charge, Won't Take Bribe, INEC Commissioner Gumus Pledges ]. channelstv.com.
  15. Web site: Chibundu . Janefrances . 2024-09-21 . Edo INEC commissioner: I won't take any bribe -- nobody will try it with me . 2024-09-21 . TheCable . en-US.
  16. Web site: 2024-09-21 . #EdoDecides: I won't take bribes no matter how much –INEC Commissioner - Daily Trust . 2024-09-21 . dailytrust.com . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2024-09-21 . Edo state governorship election result update . 2024-09-21 . BBC News Pidgin.
  18. Web site: Chironda . Melody . May 18, 2023 . Unmasking Corruption: Examining Nigeria's 2023 Election Fallout . 2024-09-21 . premiumtimesng.com.
  19. Web site: Mcleon . Ruth . Opposition Parties in Nigeria Call for Election Rerun, Citing Vote Rigging . The New York Times.

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