BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates 4 New INEC National Commissioners, 2 RECs Ahead of January General Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has nominated four new national commissioners and two new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following expiration of tenures.

The nominations were contained in a State House press release issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, October 16, 2026.

According to the release, the President reappointed Dr. Bala Bila as National Commissioner representing the North East.

The new National Commissioners are: Professor Mustapha Aliu- to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as North West representative; Bashir Muhammed Umar – to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as North Central representative and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalolac- currently Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, to be elevated as South West National Commissioner to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

The two new Resident Electoral Commissioners are: Dr. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye (retired Permanent Secretary) – to represent Ekiti State and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi (Jigawa) – to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

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President Tinubu has forwarded the names to the Senate for screening and confirmation, urging the upper legislative chamber to expedite action in view of the forthcoming General Elections scheduled for next January.