INEC Appointment: Sokoto ADC Questions Tinubu’s Nominee, State Government Pushes Back

SOKOTO — A disagreement has emerged between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State and the state government over President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner for the North-West.

The ADC has called for a detailed examination of Aliyu’s political neutrality and constitutional eligibility, while the Sokoto State Government insists that the nominee’s qualifications should be assessed on merit rather than his family relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

The controversy has also revived debate over the independence of INEC and the importance of public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC’s governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, called on President Tinubu to reconsider the nomination and urged the Senate to conduct a comprehensive screening before confirming the appointment.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya raised concerns about the nominee’s reported relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu and his alleged political affiliations.

He said the process of appointing electoral commissioners must be transparent to prevent doubts about the impartiality of officials responsible for administering elections.

“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,” Dan’iya said.

Although the ADC candidate admitted that a family relationship does not, by itself, prove misconduct or automatically disqualify a nominee, he argued that the reported connection between Aliyu and the governor warranted further checks by the Senate.

Dan’iya cited Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which stipulates that a person appointed as an INEC member must not belong to a political party.

He called on the Senate to establish the nominee’s political affiliations and determine whether he satisfies the constitutional requirements and can discharge his duties free from partisan influence.

He also urged senators from Sokoto State and the North-West to seek relevant disclosures during the screening, insisting that protecting the credibility of INEC should come before political interests.

“If credible evidence establishes that the nominee is constitutionally disqualified, the Senate should refuse confirmation, and the President should nominate a qualified alternative,” Dan’iya said.

He maintained that political connections or relationships with public officeholders should not exempt any nominee from scrutiny.

Government says family ties do not disqualify Aliyu

The Sokoto State Government dismissed the ADC’s concerns, describing them as an effort to politicise an appointment it considers based on merit.

Faruku Labbo, the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, asked Dan’iya to present evidence that Aliyu was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or occupied a party position that could prevent him from being appointed.

In a statement on Sunday, Labbo said the professor’s family relationship with the governor was not enough, on its own, to establish that he was constitutionally ineligible.

“Although Professor Mustapha Aliyu remains a brother to Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, he is not holding any position in the All Progressives Congress at any level,” Labbo said.

Labbo described the nominee as a distinguished academic with the qualifications required for national service. He urged the Senate and members of the public to assess Aliyu based on his professional record, constitutional eligibility and ability to carry out his responsibilities impartially.

He also said the nomination was intended to fill vacancies resulting from the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral commissioners and should not be interpreted as an attempt to promote the interests of the Sokoto State Government or any individual.

The dispute followed the Presidency’s announcement on October 16, 2026, of Aliyu’s nomination alongside those of other national commissioners and resident electoral commissioners.

The nominations are subject to the relevant constitutional procedures, including Senate confirmation where required.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace, the disagreement has drawn attention to the standards of transparency, neutrality and accountability expected of INEC officials.

The ADC insists that the nominee’s eligibility and political neutrality must be established through proper scrutiny, while the state government argues that his nomination should not be discredited solely on account of his family relationship with the governor.

Ultimately, Aliyu’s eligibility and compliance with constitutional requirements remain matters to be assessed through the appropriate procedures.

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