President Bola Tinubu has nominated six new officials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reappointed Dr. Bala Bila as National Commissioner representing the North-East.
The nominations were announced on Friday, October 17, 2026, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the list comprises four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies created by expiring tenures.
The new National Commissioners are:
– Prof. Mustapha Aliu (North-West) to replace Prof. Abdullahi Zuru
– Bashir Muhammed Umar (North-Central) to replace Prof. Muhammad Adamu
– Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola (South-West), currently the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, to replace Prof. Cornelius Ajayi whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026
The President also reappointed Dr. Bala Bila for a second term as North-East National Commissioner.
For Resident Electoral Commissioners, Tinubu nominated:
– Dr. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, to represent Ekiti State
– Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State to replace Prof. Saidu Ahmed Babura
Onanuga said President Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite screening and confirmation of the nominees in view of the forthcoming general elections scheduled to begin in January 2027.
The nominations come as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls, following controversies over omissions of some governorship candidates from its final list published on October 10.
