President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and nominated six other individuals to fill vacant positions within the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nominations comprise four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). The nominees are expected to undergo screening and confirmation by the Senate before assuming their respective positions.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West.
Bashir Muhammed Umar has also been nominated to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.
Similarly, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, who currently serves as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, has been nominated as the National Commissioner representing the South-West. She is expected to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.
For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, Tinubu nominated Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, to represent Ekiti State.
Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, has also been nominated to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura as a Resident Electoral Commissioner.
The Presidency explained that the nominations became necessary following the expiration of the tenures of some serving officials, which created vacancies within the commission.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation of the nominees to ensure the vacant positions are filled in good time.
The appointments will become effective upon the successful completion of the Senate’s screening and confirmation process.
