BY EDMOND ODOK – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new national commissioners and two new Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) to fill critical vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decisive appointments, aimed at fortifying the nation’s electoral umpire, were announced Friday in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
However, the nominees must now clear legislative screening, as their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation before being officially sworn in to resume duties.
According to the presidential statement, Dr Bala Bila, the National Commissioner representing North East, was reappointed, while the names of the new national commissioners were listed as Professor Mustapha Aliu, who will replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the North West representative; and Bashir Muhammed Umar, who will replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North Central representative.
Also recommended by the President is Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, as the new South West National Commissioner and she will replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026.
Additionally, the two new RECs are retired permanent secretary, Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, to represent Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who replaces Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Meanwhile, with the clock ticking toward January general elections, the President has urged the Senate to fast-track its screening for the nominees’ confirmation, even as the administration wants the INEC team to be fully in place towards ensuring a seamless transition and stable governance.
