The Sokoto State Government has defended President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the decision was based on merit rather than his relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
The government’s response followed objections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, who urged the President to reconsider the nomination and called on the Senate to carefully examine the professor’s eligibility before confirming him.
Dan’iya raised concerns about the reported maternal relationship between Aliyu and the governor, as well as questions about the nominee’s alleged links to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, Faruku Labbo, the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, dismissed the concerns in a statement issued on Sunday. He maintained that family connections alone were not enough to disqualify the nominee from the position.
“Although Professor Mustapha Aliyu remains a brother to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, he is not holding any position in the All Progressives Congress at any level,” Labbo said.
He challenged the ADC candidate to provide evidence that the professor had political affiliations that could affect his ability to perform his duties impartially.
Labbo described Aliyu as a respected academic and a Nigerian citizen qualified to occupy the national position. He also said the nomination was intended to fill vacancies created by the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral commissioners, rather than to promote the interests of a particular politician or party.
The governor’s aide accused Dan’iya of turning a merit-based appointment into a political controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Nigerians and senators to assess the nominee based on his professional qualifications, constitutional eligibility and capacity to carry out his responsibilities without bias.
Dan’iya had earlier outlined his objections in a statement released on Saturday through his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi.
He referred to Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that a person appointed as an INEC member must not belong to a political party.
According to him, the reported family connection between the nominee and the Sokoto governor makes it necessary to establish that the appointment meets the requirements for an independent electoral commission.
“The independence of INEC is too important to be treated as a routine political appointment. Nigerians must have confidence that those entrusted with managing our elections will act without fear, favour or political pressure,” Dan’iya said.
Although he acknowledged that being related to a politician did not automatically prove wrongdoing, he insisted that the Senate must verify the nominee’s political affiliations and constitutional eligibility before making a decision.
“If credible evidence establishes that the nominee is constitutionally disqualified, the Senate should refuse confirmation, and the President should nominate a qualified alternative,” he said.
The ADC candidate also called on senators from Sokoto State and other parts of the North-West to seek clear answers about Aliyu’s suitability for the role.
Tinubu announced Aliyu’s nomination on October 16, 2026, alongside the nominations of three other National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners.
Other nominees include Bashir Umar for the North-Central, replacing Professor Muhammad Adamu, while Dr Bala Bila was reappointed to represent the North-East.
The President also nominated Oluwatoyin Babalola, the serving Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi as the National Commissioner representing the South-West following the end of his tenure.
In addition, Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi were nominated as Resident Electoral Commissioners for Ekiti and Jigawa states, respectively.
The appointments remain subject to the relevant constitutional procedures, including Senate confirmation where required.
Sokoto govt defends Tinubu’s INEC nominee over governor’s family ties