ADC Raises Concern Over Tinubu’s Nomination of APC Governor’s Brother as INEC Commissioner

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing concerns over his family relationship with Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Professor Mustapha Aliyu and Governor Ahmed Aliyu are full brothers, sharing the same biological parents, with the governor being the younger brother of the INEC nominee.

The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the relationship raises concerns about impartiality, public confidence and the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, Abdullahi said the North-West nominee’s relationship with the governor, who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), warrants careful scrutiny by the Senate before confirmation.

“The North-West nominee to INEC, Prof. Mustapha Aliyu, is the maternal brother of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the APC candidate in the upcoming governorship election,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the relationship raises questions about whether the electoral umpire would be perceived as impartial by the public.

“Think about the implications. This is a relationship that raises serious questions about impartiality, public confidence and the credibility of the electoral process,” he stated.

Abdullahi also cited Section 156(1)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that electoral officials must maintain political neutrality and command public confidence.

“The principle is clear: electoral referees must not only be impartial, they must be seen to be impartial,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson urged the Senate to subject the nomination to rigorous scrutiny and reject it on grounds of the concerns raised by the party.

“We join all well-meaning Nigerians in calling on the Senate to subject this nomination to rigorous scrutiny and reject the nomination based on partiality,” Abdullahi said.

He stressed that the credibility of INEC ahead of the 2027 elections requires concerns surrounding the nomination to be addressed before confirmation.

“Nigeria cannot afford an electoral umpire whose impartiality is in doubt. The credibility of INEC in 2027 demands answers before confirmation, not explanations after the election,” he added.

The ADC’s position places the relationship between the INEC nominee and the Sokoto governor at the centre of a debate over public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.