Tinubu Reappoints Bala Bila As INEC Commissioner, Names Six Others

President Bola Tinubu has nominated six persons for positions in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The nominations cover four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions, with the nominees subject to Senate screening and confirmation.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Professor Mustapha Aliu has been nominated to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West.

Bashir Muhammed Umar was nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative, while Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current REC in Osun State, was nominated as the South-West National Commissioner.

Babalola is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

For the REC positions, Tinubu nominated retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye to represent Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

Onanuga said the nominations were necessitated by vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving officials.

The President urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to ensure the vacancies are filled ahead of the general elections scheduled for January next year.

The nominees will assume their positions subject to Senate screening and confirmation.