News
2027: 4 INEC National Commissioners’ Seats Vacant
Four National Commissioner positions are currently vacant at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), barely a year to the 2027 general elections, a senior official of the commission has disclosed.
Report says while speaking on Saturday, the official said three National Commissioners had already completed their five-year tenure and left the commission on September 14, while another is expected to leave this month.
He said the vacancies would not prevent the commission from taking decisions because the remaining commissioners could still form a quorum, but acknowledged that the absence of the commissioners had increased the workload of those still in office.
“Obviously, we should have the commission with the full complement. But that doesn’t mean that it’s an adverse effect because there was a precedent. Elections were held without the full complement, but the most important thing is that there is quorum,” he said.
According to him, after the four commissioners have left, INEC will still have eight National Commissioners, which is sufficient to form a quorum for the commission’s decisions.
“Because after the four have left, we still have eight. And the quorum is also there, so the decision, it doesn’t affect decisions in the quorum,” he said.
However, the official said the vacancies should be filled as soon as possible because serving commissioners were having to take on additional responsibilities.
He said the absence of commissioners resulted in taking over some of the responsibilities of the affected commissioner, including the supervision of states and chairmanship of committees by those on ground.
“So that means more work, of course, for those who are there. So that underscores the need for the government as quickly as possible to fill in those vacancies,” he said.
The names according to the source are; Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru from the North-West. He was the Chairman, Operations and Logistics committee; also, Professor Sani Adam from the North-Central. He was the Chairman, Legal services, clearance and compliance committee; while the third person who left already is Dr. Baba Bila, from North – East. He was the Chairman, Finance and General Purpose Committee.
The one person who is expected to leave this month is Professor Kunle Ajayi, who represents South-West. He is the Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee. Although, the source could not immediately confirm the exact date of his departure.
The official stressed that the affected commissioners left because their statutory five-year tenure had expired.
“Their tenure expired. They were sworn in exactly five years ago. To the date, their tenure expired. The three I told you, their tenure expired September 14th.
“So they were sworn in five years earlier, exactly five years earlier. So when it is on the dot, when your tenure expires, you leave,” he said.
On the process of replacing the commissioners, the official said INEC had no role in appointing either National Commissioners or Resident Electoral Commissioners, stressing that the responsibility rested with the government.
“You know the procedure. The President nominates, submits it to the National Council of State. If the National Council of State approves, then the Presidency sends it to the Senate.
“So INEC has absolutely no role in the appointment of its commissioners, whether they are National or Resident Electoral Commissioners,” he said.
He added that the process included security clearances, including screening by the Department of State Services (DSS), before the nominees could proceed through the constitutional process.
Asked whether the Presidency was aware of the vacancies, the official said he could not speak on behalf of the Presidency.
“I wouldn’t know. They should know, but I cannot speak for the Presidency,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has approved N45 billion for the deployment of an integrated biosecurity and disease surveillance system at five international airports to boost Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to emerging infectious disease threats.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Tinubu.
He listed the five airports as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu airports.
According to the minister, the project will be delivered through a 20-year public-private partnership with the BioHealth Consortium, using technologies such as aircraft wastewater surveillance, air and surface sampling, and specialised pathogen detection systems
Pate added that the system would monitor a broad range of dangerous pathogens, improve inter-agency coordination, and strengthen health security at Nigeria’s borders.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly wage award for federal workers, insisting that the government can afford to increase the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000.
The proposal followed a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the TUC said workers needed a meaningful salary increase rather than temporary financial support that might not reach everyone.
The union also called for the implementation of the agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, citing the economic difficulties facing workers and other Nigerians.
“Our position is unequivocal: workers are not asking for favours; they are demanding social and economic justice that protects their dignity and livelihoods,” the statement said.
The TUC argued that the previous wage award introduced in October 2023 was not fully implemented before a new minimum wage was agreed in 2024.
According to the union, some workers were paid for only one or two months, while others received nothing.
It also criticised the irregular payment of the earlier N40,000 wage award, saying some workers received payments covering up to four months but not on a consistent monthly basis.
The union further claimed that more than 80 per cent of state governments and the informal sector did not implement any form of wage award.
It questioned why the government was proposing another temporary payment when previous commitments remained unfulfilled.
“How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” the TUC asked.
The union maintained that a salary increase would provide more reliable support than a temporary wage award, particularly as workers continue to struggle with rising living costs.
It said negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from granting an urgent pay rise.
The TUC also stressed that the economic crisis was affecting more than federal employees. State and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people working in the informal economy were also facing higher costs for food, transport, healthcare and other basic needs.
It urged governments at all levels to take practical steps to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, pay salaries and pensions on time, protect existing jobs and tackle exploitative labour practices.
The union also called for renewed efforts to strengthen the productive sector and create decent employment opportunities.
The Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Publicity, Ahmad Aruwa, has appointed his son, Aliyu Ahmed, as Chief of Staff.
His son is among the five persons whose appointments were announced on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Other appointees are Habibu Liman as Private Secretary; Adamu Mai Salati as Protocol Officer; Isa Ahmed Don as Director-General, Media and Communication; and Musa Muhammad Daurawa as Personal Assistant.
In his remarks after receiving the appointment letter, Aruwa pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by the governor through dedication, loyalty and commitment to duty.
“Let me categorically make it clear that my leader is Abba, my political boss is Abba, and my political party is Abba.”
He added that he would work tirelessly for the governor and support his success at all levels.
Aruwa also commended his media team for their support and commitment, expressing confidence that they would continue to work together to promote the policies, programmes and achievements of the Kano State Government.
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