Sokoto State Defends Tinubu's INEC Nominee as Merit-Based Appointment

The Sokoto State Government has formally defended President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission. According to Punch, the state administration dismissed concerns raised by Manir Dan’iya, the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress, who argued that the nominee’s maternal relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu could compromise his impartiality. The state government insisted that the appointment was driven by professional merit rather than familial or political ties.

Faruku Labbo, the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters, issued a statement on Sunday to address the controversy. He maintained that Professor Aliyu is a distinguished academic and a qualified Nigerian citizen who does not hold any official position within the ruling All Progressives Congress at any level. Labbo challenged Dan’iya to provide concrete evidence of the nominee’s political affiliations, arguing that family connections alone do not constitute a constitutional disqualification for the national role. He described the nominee as a bona fide citizen qualified for the assignment.

The nomination was announced by the Presidency on October 16, 2026, alongside four other national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners. These appointments aim to fill vacancies created by the expiration of current tenures. In his objection, Dan’iya cited Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that INEC members should not belong to a political party. He urged the Senate to conduct rigorous scrutiny to ensure the nominee’s independence before confirmation, warning against political expediency.

Labbo described the controversy as an attempt to politicize a merit-based appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged the Senate and the public to evaluate the nominee based on professional competence and constitutional eligibility. The state government’s response highlights the ongoing tension between political parties as they position themselves for upcoming electoral contests, with Dan’iya calling for the President to reconsider if credible evidence of disqualification emerges from the Senate review process.