The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the nomination of Mustapha Aliu, brother of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) national commissioner for North-West. 

President Bola Tinubu had on Friday nominated Mr Aliu and five others for the positions of INEC national commissioners and resident electoral commissioners ahead of the 2027 general elections pending confirmation by the National Assembly. 

In a statement on Sunday, the ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, identified Mr Aliu as the maternal brother of Mr Aliyu, who is also the All Progressives Congress candidate in the 2027 Sokoto State governorship election, and kicked against his nomination, saying the decision posed a significant danger.

Mr Abdullahi said Mr Aliu’s nomination created a conflict of interest, warning that his confirmation as a national commissioner could undermine INEC’s credibility and erode public trust in the electoral body.

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

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

“Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution prohibits membership of a political party by an INEC member. The principle is clear: electoral referees must not only be impartial, they must be seen to be impartial.”

Meanwhile, the ADC called on the Senate to reject Mr Aliu’s nomination on neutrality grounds, stressing that the credibility of INEC was at stake ahead of the upcoming elections. 

“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. 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,” Mr Abdullahi added.