President Bola Tinubu has moved to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), nominating six individuals for key electoral positions and reappointing a serving national commissioner ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nominations, announced on Friday, October 16, are aimed at filling vacancies created by the expiration of the tenures of serving officials, with the President urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation process ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Among the nominees is Professor Mustapha Aliu, who is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the national commissioner representing the North-West.
Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative, while Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, was nominated as the national commissioner representing the South-West.
Babalola is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026.
Tinubu also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East.
For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, the President nominated retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye to represent Ekiti State.
Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, was also nominated to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
The nominations come as INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections, placing renewed attention on the composition and readiness of the electoral body responsible for organising the polls.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation of the nominees to ensure the vacancies are filled in good time.
However, the nominees will not formally assume their positions until they have completed the Senate’s screening and confirmation process.
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