2027: Tinubu nominates four INEC commissioners, two RECs

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the Senate to expedite their confirmation ahead of next January’s general elections.

The nominees’ appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, according to a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The President also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as national commissioner representing the North-East.

Professor Mustapha Aliu was nominated to represent the North-West, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru, while Bashir Muhammed Umar will represent the North-Central, replacing Professor Muhammad Adamu.

Tinubu also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current resident electoral commissioner in Osun State, as the national commissioner representing the South-West. She will replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

The two new resident electoral commissioners are Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary nominated to represent Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State, who will replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The President asked the Senate to fast-track the confirmation process in view of the forthcoming general elections next January.