Tinubu Nominates Four New INEC National Commissioners And Two Resident Electoral Commissioners Ahead Of January General Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new national commissioners and two new resident electoral commissioners to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission created by expiring tenures.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the nominations in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, adding that the Senate will scrutinise all the nominees.

Onanuga said President Tinubu reappointed Dr Bala Bila, the national commissioner representing the North East.

The new national commissioners are Professor Mustapha Aliu, who will replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the North West representative, and Bashir Muhammed Umar, who will replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North Central representative.

President Tinubu recommended Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the resident electoral commissioner in Osun, as the new South West national commissioner, replacing Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

The two new resident electoral commissioners are retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, to represent Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa, who will replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

Onanuga said President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the nominees’ confirmation in view of the forthcoming general elections next January.

The nominations come as INEC prepares for the general elections scheduled for January, with the president stressing the need for a full complement of commissioners to ensure smooth preparations.