Sokoto Labour Party Raises Concerns Over Tinubu’s Nominee

The Labour Party in Sokoto State has urged the Nigerian Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify concerns surrounding the nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu, the elder brother of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, as a national commissioner representing the North-West.

The party expressed concern over Aliyu’s alleged membership of the All Progressives Congress, warning that questions about his political neutrality must be addressed to protect public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu announced Aliyu’s nomination on October 16, 2026, alongside those of three other national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners to fill vacancies arising from the expiration of existing tenures.

The nominations are subject to the relevant confirmation procedures.

The nomination had earlier attracted criticism from the African Democratic Congress, which questioned whether the reported family relationship between Aliyu and the Sokoto governor, an APC member seeking re-election in 2027, could raise concerns about the independence of the electoral commission.

However, the Sokoto State Government defended the nomination, insisting that it was based on merit and maintaining that Aliyu did not hold any position in the APC.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Sokoto State Labour Party Chairman, Abubakar Yawale, said the nomination raised important questions about electoral neutrality, institutional independence and the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“INEC is a constitutionally established institution entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free, fair, credible, and transparent elections,” Yawale said.

He added that officials appointed to sensitive electoral positions must demonstrate impartiality and avoid circumstances that could create a reasonable perception of political bias or a conflict of interest.

While acknowledging that every qualified Nigerian had the right to be considered for public office, the Labour Party chairman maintained that appointments to the electoral commission must inspire confidence across the political spectrum.

“Where questions arise concerning family relationships with serving political officeholders and alleged membership of a partisan political party, the appropriate authorities should address those concerns transparently,” he said.

Yawale urged the Nigerian Government and INEC to publicly clarify Aliyu’s qualifications, the appointment process and his official responsibilities.

The party also asked the commission to establish whether the nominee was a registered APC member and explain how the applicable constitutional and legal requirements concerning political neutrality had been assessed.

The Labour Party further called on INEC to ensure that its appointments and administrative decisions complied with the Constitution, electoral laws and established standards of impartiality.

It also urged the commission to guarantee equal treatment for all registered political parties, including the Labour Party, ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The Labour Party emphasises that its position is not a personal attack against any individual or family. Rather, it is a call for accountability, transparency, and strict adherence to the principles governing Nigeria’s electoral institutions,” Yawale said.

He stressed that public confidence in elections depended not only on the legality of appointments but also on the transparency of the process and the ability of electoral institutions to demonstrate impartiality.

The party urged INEC and the relevant authorities to address the concerns in the interest of democracy, institutional credibility and the confidence of Nigerian voters.