Tinubu Nominates Four INEC National Commissioners, Two RECs Ahead of 2027 Elections

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners (RECs) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of tenure of some officials.

The nominations were announced in a State House press release, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, October 16.

According to the statement, the nominees will be scrutinised by the Senate before their appointments can be confirmed.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new national commissioners and two new resident electoral commissioners to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission created by expiring tenures.

“The Senate will scrutinise all the nominees,” the statement reads.

Tinubu also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East.

The new national commissioner nominees include Professor Mustapha Aliu, who is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the representative of the North-West, and Bashir Muhammed Umar, nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.

The President also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current 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 October 24, according to the statement.

The two nominees for resident electoral commissioner positions are retired permanent secretary, Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, representing Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who is expected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The nominations come ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the President urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation process.

“President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the nominees’ confirmation in view of the forthcoming General elections next January,” the statement said.