President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to expedite the confirmation of six nominees for positions at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.

The nominations were announced on Friday, 16 October, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The appointments are intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral officials.

The six nominees comprise four national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners. Tinubu has also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East.

For the national commissioner positions, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to represent the North-West, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru. Bashir Muhammed Umar has been nominated to represent the North-Central, succeeding Professor Muhammad Adamu.

The President has also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current resident electoral commissioner in Osun State, for the South-West national commissioner position. She is expected to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on 24 October 2026.

For the resident electoral commissioner positions, Tinubu nominated Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, for Ekiti State. Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, was nominated to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The nominees are expected to undergo Senate screening before their appointments can be confirmed. The President's request for a speedy process comes as the electoral commission continues preparations for the next general elections.

INEC is responsible for organising and supervising elections in Nigeria, including presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections. Its responsibilities include voter registration, the regulation of political party activities and the administration of electoral procedures in accordance with the law.

Filling the vacancies is part of the administrative preparations ahead of the 2027 polls. The commission will be expected to coordinate electoral activities nationwide while managing the logistical and operational demands of conducting elections.

The Senate's decision on the nominations will determine whether the candidates can formally assume their proposed positions. Until the confirmation process is completed, the appointments remain subject to legislative approval.

With the 2027 elections approaching, attention will remain on INEC's preparations and its ability to conduct credible elections. The confirmation of the nominees is one of the steps involved in filling the identified vacancies as the country moves towards another general election.

© 2026 Aliu Azeema |

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