The Sokoto State Government has defended President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Politics Nigeria reports that the defence followed calls by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Senate to reject the nomination over Aliyu’s reported maternal relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State and concerns about his alleged political affiliations.
Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo, dismissed the objections in a statement on Sunday, arguing that being related to the governor did not automatically disqualify the professor from serving on the electoral commission.
Labbo maintained that Aliyu was not occupying any position in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and challenged his critics to provide evidence of political affiliations that could compromise his impartiality.
“Although Professor Mustapha Aliyu remains a brother to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, he is not holding any position in the All Progressives Congress at any level,” he said.
The governor’s aide described the nominee as a respected academic and a qualified Nigerian capable of serving in the national position.
He also argued that the nomination was intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral commissioners, rather than advance the interests of any politician or political party.
Labbo particularly accused the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, of turning a merit-based appointment into a political controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Nigerians and senators to assess Aliyu based on his professional qualifications, constitutional eligibility and ability to discharge his responsibilities without bias.
However, the ADC has insisted that the nominee’s family relationship with the governor and questions about his political affiliations require careful scrutiny before the Senate considers his confirmation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the Senate to reject the nomination, arguing that the relationship raises concerns about the independence and credibility of the electoral commission.
The ADC argued that the constitutional requirement for political neutrality among INEC members must be upheld to protect public confidence in the electoral process.
It cited Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which prohibits membership of a political party by a person appointed to the commission.
On his part, Dan’iya said, “The independence of INEC is too important to be treated as a routine political appointment. Nigerians must have confidence that those entrusted with managing our elections will act without fear, favour or political pressure.”
The ADC candidate acknowledged that a family relationship with a politician did not automatically establish wrongdoing. However, he insisted that the Senate must verify the nominee’s political affiliations and constitutional eligibility before deciding whether to confirm him.
Dan’iya warned that the Senate should reject the nomination if credible evidence showed that Aliyu was constitutionally disqualified. He also urged senators from Sokoto State and other parts of the North-West to seek clear answers about the nominee’s suitability.
The opposition party maintained that the credibility of INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections depended on ensuring that its officials were both impartial and seen to be impartial.
Tinubu announced Aliyu’s nomination on October 16, 2026, alongside three other National Commissioner nominees and two Resident Electoral Commissioner nominees.
Other nominees include Bashir Umar for the North-Central, replacing Professor Muhammad Adamu, while Dr Bala Bila was reappointed to represent the North-East.
The President also nominated Oluwatoyin Babalola, the serving Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, as National Commissioner representing the South-West, replacing Professor Cornelius Ajayi following the end of his tenure.
Additionally, Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi were nominated as Resident Electoral Commissioners for Ekiti and Jigawa states, respectively.
