By Divine Sam

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The nominations, announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, affect key positions within the electoral body as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.

The nominees for National Commissioners include Professor Mustapha Aliu, representing the North-West, who is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru; Bashir Muhammed Umar of the North-Central, nominated to succeed Professor Muhammad Adamu; and Oluwatoyin Babalola of the South-West, currently serving as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, who is to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi.

Bala Bila, representing the North-East, has also been reappointed as a National Commissioner.

For the position of Resident Electoral Commissioners, Tinubu nominated Samuel Akinjide Akinleye for Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi for Jigawa State. Sanusi is expected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The nominees will undergo screening and confirmation by the Senate, with the President reportedly urging an expedited process to ensure the vacancies are filled ahead of the 2027 general elections.