WorldStage– President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill critical vacancies within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision follows the expiration of tenures for several serving officials as the nation begins its countdown toward upcoming electoral cycles.
The Senate is expected to deliberate on and scrutinise the list of nominees during its next plenary sessions.
Announcement of the choice of the nominees was made public on Friday through an official statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, President Tinubu has transmitted the names of the nominees to the Senate and urged the upper legislative chamber to expedite their screening and confirmation process.
Among the key changes to the electoral umpire’s leadership structure, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to serve as the National Commissioner representing the North-West zone, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru.
For the North-Central region, Bashir Muhammed Umar was selected to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu.
In the South-West geopolitical zone, President Tinubu recommended Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, to step up as a National Commissioner.
She is slated to take over from Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure is set to formally expire on October 24.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bala Bila, the incumbent National Commissioner representing the North-East zone, secured a reappointment to continue his service.
For the state-level leadership, the President designated two new Resident Electoral Commissioners to oversee regional operations.
Dr. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, was nominated to represent Ekiti State.
Also, Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State was picked to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
The timing of the nominations is highly strategic as operational adjustments and administrative updates within INEC are critical as stakeholders prepare for the upcoming general elections scheduled for January 2027.
Ensuring a full complement of commissioners is widely seen as a necessary step to maintain institutional stability, implement ongoing electoral reforms, and reinforce public confidence in the commission’s capacity to deliver transparent and credible polls across Nigeria.
