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 Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The nominations, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, cover four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions. The appointments are intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving officials.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the nominees will be subject to Senate screening and confirmation.
The nominations include Professor Mustapha Aliu, who has been proposed to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West.
Bashir Muhammed Umar has been nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.
For the South-West, Tinubu nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, to serve as a National Commissioner. She is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.
The President also nominated Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, as Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Ekiti State.
Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State was nominated for another REC position, replacing Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Meanwhile, Dr Bala Bila has been reappointed as the National Commissioner representing the North-East.
Onanuga said the nominations were necessitated by vacancies resulting from the expiration of the tenures of serving officials.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to ensure the vacancies are filled ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The nominations come at a significant stage in preparations for the 2027 polls, as INEC is responsible for organising elections, managing voter registration, regulating key aspects of the electoral process and announcing official results.
The confirmation process will determine whether the nominees assume their proposed positions.
The development also places renewed attention on the composition and readiness of the electoral commission as political parties intensify preparations for the next general election.
INEC’s independence, transparency and operational preparedness will remain central to public confidence in the electoral process.