Tinubu Reappoints INEC Commissioner, Nominates Six Others Ahead of 2027 Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and nominated six other officials to fill vacancies in the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The nominations cover four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions. All six nominees are expected to undergo screening and confirmation by the Senate before assuming their respective offices.

The Presidency announced the appointments in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, the nominations became necessary following the expiration of the tenures of serving officials, leaving vacancies within the electoral commission.

Among the nominees is Professor Mustapha Aliu, who has been nominated to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West.

Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the National Commissioner representing the North-Central zone.

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Tinubu also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, as the National Commissioner representing the South-West. She is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026.

For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, the President nominated Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, to represent Ekiti State.

Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, was nominated to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura as a Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Meanwhile, Tinubu reappointed Bala Bila to continue serving as the National Commissioner representing the North-East.

The President urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation process to enable INEC to fill the vacancies ahead of the forthcoming general elections, which the Presidency says are scheduled for January 2027.

The appointments come as INEC prepares for the next general elections, with the commission responsible for managing electoral activities, including voter registration, political party compliance, candidate nominations and the conduct of national elections.

The Senate’s consideration of the nominees will determine when the newly nominated officials can formally assume their respective positions.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the appointments are part of efforts to fill vacant positions within the electoral body and ensure that its leadership structure is in place ahead of the polls.

The nominations do not take effect as confirmed appointments until the required Senate screening and confirmation process has been completed.