The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is heading towards another major shake-up as the five-year tenure of four of its National Commissioners is due to expire in February 2027, just months before Nigeria’s next general election.
The affected commissioners are Mohammed Haruna, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Sam Olumekun and Rhoda Gumus, who were among six National Commissioners sworn in by then-President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022. INEC records show that the appointments brought the commission to its full complement of 12 National Commissioners at the time. (INEC News)
Their impending exit has raised questions about the timing of fresh appointments and the need to ensure continuity within the electoral commission as preparations intensify for the 2027 polls.
The development is particularly significant because INEC has already entered a critical phase of preparations for the general election. The commission has said it has finalised the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections, while its current chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, has described recent bye-elections as important operational tests ahead of the nationwide polls. (INEC Nigeria)
The tenure issue also comes against the backdrop of previous changes within the commission. Several National Commissioners appointed in September and October 2021 reached the end of their five-year terms in 2026, while another commissioner, Major General Modibbo Alkali, died in April 2025 and was subsequently replaced as part of efforts to maintain the commission’s structure. (The Nation)
With the 2027 election approaching, the impending February 2027 departures could therefore put renewed focus on the process and timing of appointing replacements.
Under Nigeria’s electoral framework, National Commissioners play a central role in the administration and oversight of elections. Their continuity is consequently considered important to the commission’s institutional stability, particularly during a general election cycle.
INEC has meanwhile continued preparations for 2027, including voter-registration and voter-register reforms, stakeholder engagement and operational assessments through bye-elections.
The commission’s leadership has repeatedly assured Nigerians that it remains focused on delivering credible elections and maintaining neutrality.
The four commissioners’ expected exit in February 2027 will therefore be closely watched as INEC moves towards one of the country’s most politically significant electoral exercises.
