Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform— October 16, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six officials to fill vacancies within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as preparations gather momentum for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
According to a report by Politics Nigeria, the nominations comprise four national commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). The nominees are expected to undergo screening and confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
The nominations were announced in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
Among the nominees is Professor Mustapha Aliu, nominated to represent the North-West, replacing Professor Abdullahi Zuru. Bashir Muhammed Umar was also nominated to represent the North-Central, succeeding Professor Muhammad Adamu.
For the South-West, President Tinubu nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure is scheduled to expire on October 24, 2026.
The two nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioner positions are Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, nominated for Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who is expected to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
The President also reappointed Dr Bala Bila as the national commissioner representing the North-East.
Tinubu has reportedly urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, given the importance of strengthening the electoral commission ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Tinubu Tasks APC Women on Grassroots Mobilisation:
In a related political development, President Tinubu has directed the women’s mobilisation directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to intensify grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The directive was issued during the inauguration of the campaign council in Abuja, where the President charged Dr Betta Edu, Director of Women Mobilisation, alongside other officials and party leaders, to strengthen the party’s nationwide mobilisation efforts.
Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of Nigerian women to the country’s political development and the electoral fortunes of the APC, describing them as a vital force in the party’s re-election strategy.
The campaign’s women’s mobilisation directorate has reportedly set a target of securing 40 million votes from women for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. Its proposed strategy includes engagement across 176,846 communities, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The planned activities are expected to focus on ward-level organisation, household outreach, community engagement and mobilisation at polling units, complementing large-scale political rallies.
The report also highlighted a Women’s Summit and Empowerment Programme held in Abuja on October 5, during which women stakeholders gathered for discussions and the distribution of livelihood-support items, including motorbikes and farm trucks, to beneficiaries.
As the 2027 elections approach, the nominations and campaign mobilisation efforts underscore the growing political activity surrounding the next electoral cycle. The Senate’s confirmation process and INEC’s institutional preparedness will remain important developments to watch.
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