Dan’iya Urges Tinubu to Reconsider INEC Commissioner Nominee Over Governor’s Family Ties

The Sokoto State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner representing the North-West.

Dan’iya also called on the Senate to subject the nominee to rigorous scrutiny before confirmation, citing concerns over his reported family relationship with Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu and questions about his political neutrality.

In a press statement signed by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said the nomination raises legitimate questions that require transparent verification to safeguard public confidence in the electoral umpire.

Professor Mustapha Aliyu was among the INEC national commissioner nominees announced by the Presidency on October 16, 2026. According to Dan’iya, the nominee has been identified as the maternal brother of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, while concerns have also been raised about his alleged political association with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC candidate, however, stressed that the concerns should not be regarded as proof of wrongdoing, insisting that the nominee’s political affiliations, independence and eligibility must be established through a transparent screening process.

He cited Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stipulates that a member of INEC must not belong to a political party, and urged the Senate to determine whether Professor Aliyu meets the constitutional requirement and other applicable standards for the appointment.

Dan’iya noted that a family relationship alone does not establish disqualification but argued that the reported connection to a serving governor whose party has a direct interest in electoral contests makes transparency and demonstrable independence particularly important.

“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,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the nomination in the interest of public confidence and called on senators to prioritise thorough scrutiny over political considerations.

Dan’iya also appealed to senators representing Sokoto State and the North-West, members of the House of Representatives and other elected representatives from the region to demand clear answers regarding the nominee’s eligibility, political affiliations and capacity to discharge his duties impartially.

He further called on the Senate to obtain all relevant disclosures and assess the nomination strictly on constitutional and professional grounds, adding that the confirmation should be rejected if credible evidence establishes that the nominee is constitutionally disqualified.

According to him, the President should nominate a qualified alternative if the screening establishes that Professor Aliyu does not meet the required standards.

Dan’iya maintained that Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on conducting elections but also on ensuring that electoral institutions enjoy the confidence of political parties and citizens.

He therefore urged the President and the National Assembly to place the credibility of the electoral process above political considerations and ensure that the North-West is represented on the commission by a national commissioner whose eligibility, independence and impartiality inspire public confidence.