RismadarVoice Reporters
October 16, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded nominations for appointments to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Senate as part of efforts to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of commissioners’ tenures.
The nominations, comprising four positions on the commission’s national leadership and two Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, were announced on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The development was disclosed in a State House statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the nominees will undergo screening by the Senate before their appointments can be confirmed in accordance with constitutional requirements.
The proposed appointments come as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027.
TINUBU REAPPOINTS BALA BILA
Among the proposed appointments is the reappointment of Dr Bala Bila as National Commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone.
The President also nominated Professor Mustapha Aliu to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West.
For the North-Central geopolitical zone, Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu.
In the South-West, Tinubu recommended Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, who currently serves as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State.
Babalola is expected to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure is scheduled to expire on October 24, 2026.
Her nomination, if confirmed, would see her move from a state-level electoral leadership position to the commission’s national decision-making body.
TWO RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS NOMINATED
The President also nominated two individuals for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners.
They include Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, who was nominated for Ekiti State.
The second nominee is Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who is expected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Resident Electoral Commissioners play important roles in coordinating INEC’s activities at the state level, including election preparations, voter registration administration and the implementation of electoral guidelines.
Their responsibilities also include overseeing the commission’s operations within their respective states, subject to the authority and directives of INEC’s national leadership.
SENATE TO SCREEN NOMINEES
The nominations will be considered by the Senate as part of the constitutional process governing appointments to the electoral commission.
The Senate is expected to examine the nominees’ qualifications, professional experience and suitability for the responsibilities associated with electoral administration.
The President has requested an expedited confirmation process in view of the approaching general elections.
The appointments will remain subject to the necessary constitutional procedures, and the nominees cannot be regarded as confirmed commissioners until those requirements have been completed.
APPOINTMENTS COME AHEAD OF 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
The proposed changes to INEC’s leadership structure come at a significant period in Nigeria’s electoral calendar.
Under the commission’s revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The timetable places additional responsibilities on INEC to complete outstanding administrative arrangements, coordinate electoral personnel and ensure operational readiness across the country.
The appointment of qualified commissioners is considered an important part of maintaining the institution’s capacity to conduct elections.
The commission is also expected to continue preparations involving electoral logistics, voter information, polling arrangements and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
The nominations are therefore expected to attract legislative and public attention as the country moves closer to the 2027 polls.
The Senate has yet to announce the outcome of the screening and confirmation process for the nominees.
