Tinubu reappoints Bila, names six new INEC nominees

‎President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Dr Bala Bila as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and nominated six other persons to fill vacancies in the electoral body.

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‎The nominations comprise four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), following the expiration of the tenures of some serving officials.

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‎According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the new nominees will be screened by the Senate for confirmation.

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‎The statement said Professor Mustapha Aliu had been nominated to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner representing the North-West, while Bashir Muhammed Umar would replace Professor Muhammad Adamu as the North-Central representative.

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‎Tinubu also nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, as the National Commissioner representing the South-West. She is expected to replace Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

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‎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.

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‎The statement noted that the nominations were made to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving commissioners.

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‎Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process in view of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January next year.

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‎“The Senate will scrutinise all the nominees,” the statement said.

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‎The President also called for a speedy confirmation process, stressing the need to fill the vacancies ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

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‎The nominations will take effect subject to the Senate’s screening and confirmation.

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