President reappoints Bala Bila, urges Senate to expedite confirmation of nominees
By Chioma Vivian James
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of some commission members.
The nominations are part of efforts to fill vacant positions in the electoral body ahead of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January, according to a State House press release issued on October 16, 2026.
The Senate is expected to scrutinise the nominees and consider their confirmation.
However, President Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the National Commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone.
Among the newly nominated National Commissioners is Professor Mustapha Aliu, who is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the representative of the North-West.
Bashir Muhammed Umar has also been nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the National Commissioner representing the North-Central geopolitical zone.
For the South-West, the President has recommended Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, for appointment as a National Commissioner. She is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026.
The President also nominated two new Resident Electoral Commissioners to fill vacancies in the commission.
They are Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, a retired permanent secretary, nominated to represent Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who is expected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
President Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process in view of the forthcoming general elections, underscoring the need to fill the vacancies ahead of the polls.
The nominations come as INEC prepares for the next electoral cycle, with the composition and readiness of the commission remaining critical to the administration of credible elections.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, and dated October 16, 2026.
