Sokoto Government Supports Tinubu's INEC Nominee, Says Merit Matters

The Sokoto State Government has responded to worries from the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, about President Bola Tinubu’s choice of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission. The government said the appointment was based on merit.

The government asked Dan’iya to show proof of any political ties that might affect the nominee’s fairness. They argued that Professor Aliyu's family connection to Governor Ahmed Aliyu was not enough reason to disqualify him.

Faruku Labbo, the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters, made this known in a statement on Sunday. He was reacting to Dan’iya’s request for Tinubu to rethink the nomination and for the Senate to carefully examine the nominee before confirming him.

Dan’iya had expressed worries about the family link between Professor Aliyu and Governor Ahmed Aliyu. He also questioned the nominee’s supposed ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

But Labbo insisted that Professor Aliyu was well qualified for the national role and did not hold any position in the APC at any level. "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," he said.

He urged the ADC candidate to provide evidence to support his claims and stated that family ties alone are not enough for disqualification according to the law. Labbo described Aliyu as a respected academic and a true Nigerian citizen who is fit for the national position.

He added that the nomination was made for the national interest. It aimed to fill positions left vacant after the tenures of current electoral commissioners ended, not to push any political agenda.

The Presidency announced Aliyu’s nomination on October 16, 2026, along with three other national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners.

In response to the ongoing debate, Labbo accused Dan’iya of trying to politicize what he called a merit-based appointment and create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged the public and the Senate to judge the nominee based on his skills, legal qualifications, and ability to carry out his duties fairly.

The government’s statement followed Dan’iya’s objection to the nomination. The ADC candidate asked Tinubu to reconsider his choice and urged the Senate not to overlook thorough examination for political reasons.

In a statement from his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya referenced Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that anyone appointed as an INEC member must not belong to a political party. He argued that the family connection between the nominee and the Sokoto governor, whose party has a direct interest in the upcoming elections, made transparency crucial.

"The independence of INEC is too important to be treated as a routine political appointment. Nigerians must have confidence that those managing our elections will act without fear, favour or political pressure," Dan’iya said.

He acknowledged that family ties alone do not prove wrongdoing. He insisted that the Senate should check the nominee’s political connections and qualifications before giving confirmation.

"If credible evidence shows that the nominee is constitutionally disqualified, the Senate should refuse confirmation, and the President should nominate someone qualified instead," he said.

The ADC candidate also called on senators from Sokoto State and the North-West to ask clear questions about the nominee’s qualifications and independence.

Besides Aliyu’s nomination for the North-West, Tinubu also nominated Bashir Umar for the North-Central to replace Professor Muhammad Adamu. He reappointed Dr Bala Bila for the North-East and nominated Oluwatoyin Babalola, who is the current Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, to take over from Professor Cornelius Ajayi as the South-West National Commissioner after his term ended.

Additionally, Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi were nominated as resident electoral commissioners for Ekiti and Jigawa states, respectively.

These nominations will go through the necessary constitutional processes, including Senate confirmation where needed. INEC is responsible for organizing and conducting elections in Nigeria. The independence and fairness of its officials is key to public trust in the electoral process.

This disagreement between the Sokoto State Government and the ADC candidate is happening as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. While Dan’iya calls for closer examination of Professor Aliyu’s nomination, the state government insists that the appointment should be judged on merit and legal qualifications, not family ties.