President Bola Tinubu has nominated six new officials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The nominations come as the tenures of some serving electoral commissioners expire, creating vacancies within the commission that need to be filled ahead of the elections.

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

Tinubu further 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.

For the Resident Electoral Commissioner positions, the President nominated retired permanent secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye to represent Ekiti State, while Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, was nominated to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.

The reappointment of Bila and the nomination of six new officials form part of efforts to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of serving commissioners’ tenures.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the nominations come at a critical time for the electoral body, which is responsible for organising and overseeing the country’s elections.

The nominees will, however, have to undergo Senate screening and secure confirmation before their appointments can be finalised.