ADC, Sokoto govt clash over Tinubu’s INEC nominee, demand political neutrality

By Abdullahi Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State and the state government have clashed over President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Prof Mustapha Aliyu as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, with the opposition questioning his political neutrality and the government defending his competence and eligibility.

The disagreement comes amid growing attention to the independence of the electoral umpire as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has urged Tinubu to reconsider the nomination and called on the Senate to subject the nominee to thorough scrutiny before confirming his appointment.

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

He maintained that appointments into INEC must be subjected to transparent scrutiny to protect public confidence in the impartiality of officials responsible for conducting 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 acknowledging that family ties alone did not establish wrongdoing or automatically disqualify a nominee, the ADC candidate insisted that the reported relationship warranted closer examination by the Senate.

He specifically cited Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides that a person appointed as a member of INEC must not belong to a political party.

Dan’iya urged the Senate to establish the nominee’s political affiliations, constitutional eligibility and capacity to discharge his responsibilities without partisan influence.

He also called on senators representing Sokoto State and the North-West to demand relevant disclosures during the screening, stressing that the credibility of the electoral commission must take precedence over political considerations.

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

However, the Sokoto State Government dismissed the ADC candidate’s concerns, describing them as an attempt to politicise what it considers a merit-based appointment.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo, challenged Dan’iya to provide evidence that Aliyu belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or held any party position that could constitute a constitutional impediment to his nomination.

Labbo argued that the nominee’s family relationship with the governor was insufficient, on its own, to establish that he was constitutionally disqualified from the appointment.

“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.

Describing Aliyu as a distinguished academic qualified for national service, Labbo urged the public and the Senate to assess his nomination based on his professional credentials, constitutional eligibility and ability to perform the role impartially.

He further explained that the nomination was intended to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of the tenures of serving electoral commissioners, insisting that it should not be interpreted as an attempt to advance the political interests of the Sokoto State Government or any individual.

The government’s response 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 applicable constitutional procedures, including Senate confirmation where required.

The controversy has renewed debate over the standards of transparency, accountability and political neutrality expected of individuals appointed to oversee Nigeria’s elections.

While the ADC insists that Aliyu’s eligibility and political neutrality must be established through rigorous screening, the state government maintains that his nomination should not be discredited solely because of his family relationship with the governor.