Tinubu Reappoints Bila, Names Five New INEC Nominees

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

The nominations, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, comprise three National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions, according to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu reappointed Bila to continue representing the North-East geopolitical zone on the commission.

For the National Commissioner positions, the President nominated Professor Mustapha Aliu to represent the North-West, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru, whose tenure has expired.

Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to represent the North-Central zone, succeeding Professor Muhammad Adamu.

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

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

He also nominated Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

According to the Presidency, the nominations were necessitated by vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving officials.

The President urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation process to ensure the vacancies are filled ahead of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January 2027.

The nominees will, however, be required to undergo Senate scrutiny and obtain the necessary confirmation before their appointments can be finalised.

INEC is responsible for organising and supervising elections across Nigeria, including presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

The appointments come as the commission prepares for the next general elections, with its leadership and state-level representation expected to play important roles in coordinating electoral activities nationwide.

The Presidency said the confirmation process should be completed promptly to support the commission’s preparations for the polls.