President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and nominated six other officials to fill vacant positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development was announced on Friday, October 16, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

The nominations cover four National Commissioner positions and two Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) positions, with the Senate expected to screen the nominees before their appointments can be confirmed.

Meet the New INEC Nominees

Among those nominated, Professor Mustapha Aliu is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West, while Bashir Muhammed Umar has been nominated to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.

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

For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, the President 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.

Meanwhile, Dr Bala Bila has been reappointed as the National Commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone.

Why the Appointments Matter Ahead of 2027

The nominations come as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, placing renewed attention on the leadership and administrative readiness of the electoral commission.

INEC is responsible for organising and overseeing elections across the country. Filling vacancies in its leadership is therefore an important part of maintaining its administrative structure ahead of the polls.

President Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, citing the approaching general elections.

However, the six nominees must undergo the required Senate screening and confirmation before their appointments can be finalised.

As preparations for the next general elections continue, attention will turn to the Senate’s consideration of the nominees and the steps INEC takes to prepare for the nationwide electoral exercise.

Utelnova News Desk

Source: State House, Abuja; statement issued October 16, 2026.