President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following vacancies created by the expiration of the tenures of some serving officials.
The nominations, announced in a State House press release issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, are subject to confirmation by the Senate.
However, Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone.
Among the new national commissioner nominees is Professor Mustapha Aliu, who is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the representative of the North-West.
Also nominated is Bashir Muhammed Umar, who will replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the national commissioner representing the North-Central geopolitical zone.
The President has further recommended Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the serving Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, as the new national commissioner representing the South-West.
Babalola is expected to succeed Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.
The two nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioner positions 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.
According to the statement, the nominations are intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of the affected INEC officials.
Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process in view of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January next year.
The President’s appeal for speedy confirmation comes as preparations for the elections are expected to intensify, placing the electoral commission under pressure to ensure that its leadership structure is adequately constituted ahead of the polls.
The nominees, upon confirmation, are expected to join the commission in discharging its constitutional responsibilities, including the organisation, conduct and supervision of elections, voter registration and the promotion of credible electoral processes.
The Senate is expected to scrutinise the nominees’ qualifications and suitability for the respective positions before deciding on their confirmation.
INEC, as Nigeria’s electoral management body, plays a central role in determining the credibility of elections through the implementation of electoral laws, management of polling arrangements and collation of results.
The appointments are therefore expected to attract attention from political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, particularly against the backdrop of preparations for the next general elections.
The statement was signed by Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
