Tinubu nominates four INEC National Commissioners, two RECs

By KEMI KASUMU

The appointments, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, cover different geopolitical zones of the country.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The nominees are expected to be screened by the Senate, with the President seeking expedited confirmation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appointments, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, cover different geopolitical zones of the country.

National Commissioners

The nominees for the positions of National Commissioners are:

1. Professor Mustapha Aliu – North-West, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru.
2. Bashir Muhammed Umar – North-Central, replacing Professor Muhammad Adamu.
3. Oluwatoyin Babalola – South-West, currently serving as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, replacing Professor Cornelius Ajayi.
4. Bala Bila – North-East, reappointed to the position.

Resident Electoral Commissioners

The two nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioner positions are:

1. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye – Ekiti State.
2. Zahradden Basiru Sanusi – Jigawa State, replacing Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The Senate is expected to screen the nominees before their confirmation, as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.