President Bola Tinubu has announced fresh nominations for key positions in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The appointments, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, cover four national commissioner positions, including a reappointment, and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions.
The Presidency said the changes became necessary following the expiration or approaching expiration of the tenures of some serving electoral officials.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed the nominations in an official statement issued in Abuja.
The nominees must undergo screening and secure confirmation from the Nigerian Senate before assuming their new responsibilities.
Tinubu Retains Bala Bila, Names New National Commissioners
Among the appointments announced by the Presidency is the reappointment of Dr Bala Bila, who represents the North-East geopolitical zone as an INEC national commissioner.
Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to represent the North-West, taking over from Professor Abdullahi Zuru.
For the North-Central zone, the President selected Bashir Muhammed Umar to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu.
Tinubu also nominated Oluwatoyin Babalola, who currently serves as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, for the position of national commissioner representing the South-West.
If confirmed, Babalola will replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure is scheduled to end on October 24, 2026.
Her nomination would mark a move from supervising INEC operations at the state level to serving on the commission’s national leadership team.
Two Resident Electoral Commissioners Also Nominated
The President also forwarded two nominations for Resident Electoral Commissioner positions.
Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, was nominated for Ekiti State.
Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, was also selected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Resident Electoral Commissioners play important roles in the administration of elections within their respective states, working with INEC’s national leadership and local electoral officials.
Their responsibilities include overseeing electoral preparations, coordinating operational activities and ensuring that the commission’s procedures are implemented at the state level.
Senate Asked to Accelerate Confirmation
With Nigeria’s next general elections approaching, Tinubu has called on the Senate to handle the screening and confirmation process without unnecessary delay.
The Presidency linked the urgency to the need to fill leadership vacancies before the nationwide polls.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, appointments to the national leadership of INEC require Senate confirmation.
Until the relevant confirmation process has been completed, the individuals announced by the President remain nominees rather than confirmed officeholders.
The Senate’s consideration of their appointments will therefore be an important next step in the process of filling the vacant positions.
INEC Prepares for January 2027 General Elections
The nominations come as the Independent National Electoral Commission continues preparations for the next general elections.
According to INEC’s revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to follow on Saturday, February 6, 2027, in the states where those elections are due.
The revised schedule followed changes to Nigeria’s electoral legislation in 2026, which required adjustments to previously announced election dates.
The commission is responsible for coordinating electoral logistics, voter accreditation, polling procedures, the collation of results and other activities required to conduct elections.
These responsibilities make leadership continuity particularly important as the election period draws closer.
Why the INEC Appointments Matter
The latest nominations come at a sensitive stage in Nigeria’s electoral preparations, when the commission is expected to demonstrate administrative readiness, transparency and independence.
National commissioners contribute to INEC’s overall policy direction and oversight, while Resident Electoral Commissioners coordinate important aspects of electoral administration in their assigned states.
Vacancies in these positions can create additional pressure on the commission, particularly during periods of intensive election planning.
The presidential nominations are intended to fill positions becoming vacant as existing tenures end.
However, completing the appointment process requires legislative approval, and the Senate’s decision will determine whether the nominees can formally take up their new responsibilities.
For political parties, election observers and millions of Nigerian voters, the appointments represent another development in the preparations for the 2027 polls.
