Tinubu nominates six INEC officials ahead of 2027 elections
President Bola Tinubu has nominated six officials for appointment to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nominations, comprising four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions, are subject to screening and confirmation by the Senate.
In a statement issued on Friday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointments were intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving commissioners.
According to the statement, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West geopolitical zone.
Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.
The President also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, currently serving as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, as the National Commissioner representing the South-West.
Babalola is expected to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on 24 October 2026.
For the positions of Resident Electoral Commissioners, Tinubu nominated retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye for Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
The President also approved the reappointment of Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner.
Onanuga explained that the nominations formed part of efforts to ensure that the electoral commission maintained its full complement of officials ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominations to prevent prolonged vacancies within the electoral body.
The appointments come as INEC intensifies preparations for the January 2027 general elections, including arrangements for electoral administration and coordination across the federation.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions, appointments to the commission require Senate confirmation.
The nominees will assume their respective offices after completing the required confirmation process.