President Bola Tinubu has nominated six individuals for positions at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nominations cover four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions. All nominees are subject to screening and confirmation by the Senate.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated 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 Mrs 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.
For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, Tinubu nominated retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye to represent Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Onanuga said the nominations were prompted by vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving officials.
The President also urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to ensure the vacancies are filled ahead of the 2027 general elections, which the statement said are scheduled for January.
The nominees will assume their respective positions upon successful completion of the Senate’s screening and confirmation process.
