The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently has four vacant National Commissioner positions, with the 2027 general elections less than a year away.

A senior commission official, who spoke with Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said three National Commissioners completed their statutory five-year tenure and left office on September 14, while another commissioner is expected to complete his tenure this month.

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The official said the vacancies would not prevent INEC from taking decisions because the remaining commissioners would still be able to form the required quorum. However, he stressed that filling the vacant positions promptly would help reduce the workload on those still serving.

“Obviously, we should have the commission with the full complement. But that doesn’t mean that it’s an adverse effect because there was a precedent. Elections were held without the full complement, but the most important thing is that there is quorum,” the official said.

According to him, INEC will have eight National Commissioners after the fourth vacancy becomes effective, which would still be sufficient to meet the quorum required for the commission to conduct its business.

“Because after the four have left, we still have eight. And the quorum is also there, so the decision, it doesn’t affect decisions in the quorum,” he added.

The official identified the three commissioners whose tenures ended on September 14 as Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru from the North-West, Professor Sani Adam from the North-Central and Dr Baba Bila from the North-East.

Zuru chaired the Operations and Logistics Committee, Adam headed the Legal Services, Clearance and Compliance Committee, while Bila was Chairman of the Finance and General Purpose Committee.

The fourth commissioner, Professor Kunle Ajayi from the South-West, is expected to leave the commission this month. Ajayi chairs the Outreach and Partnership Committee, although the official said he could not immediately confirm the exact date of his departure.

The official explained that the departures were the result of the expiration of the commissioners’ constitutionally prescribed five-year tenure.

“Their tenure expired. They were sworn in exactly five years ago. To the date, their tenure expired. The three I told you, their tenure expired September 14th,” he said.

He further disclosed that the vacancies had increased the responsibilities of the remaining commissioners, who were now supervising additional states and taking over committees previously headed by their departed colleagues.

“So that means more work, of course, for those who are there. So that underscores the need for the government as quickly as possible to fill in those vacancies,” he said.

The official also clarified that INEC has no role in appointing its National Commissioners or Resident Electoral Commissioners. According to him, the President nominates candidates, after which the National Council of State considers the nominations before they are forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

He said nominees are also expected to undergo the necessary security clearances, including screening by the Department of State Services (DSS), before the appointment process is completed.

Asked whether the Presidency was aware of the vacancies, the official said he could not speak on behalf of the President or the Presidency.

“I wouldn’t know. They should know, but I cannot speak for the Presidency,” he said.

The official also disclosed that a Resident Electoral Commissioner had recently left the commission, adding to the vacancies facing the electoral body as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.