{
  "id": 15442344,
  "title": "Sokoto govt defends Tinubu’s INEC nominee over governor’s family ties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/sokoto-govt-defends-tinubus-inec-nominee-over-governors-family-ties",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T15:17:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/18/sokoto-defends-tinubus-inec-nominee-amid-family-ties-controversy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigerian government has defended President Bola Tinubu's selection of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite objections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in Sokoto State. The government maintains that Tinubu's decision was driven by merit rather than the nominee's familial ties to the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu. ADC candidate Manir Dan'iya has called for the President and the Senate to scrutinize the nominee's eligibility and independence, raising concerns about potential political affiliations. However, Faruku Labbo, the governor's Special Adviser on Political Matters, refuted these claims, stating that the nominee is not affiliated with any political party and possesses the necessary qualifications to serve impartially. Dan'iya's objections stem from Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits appointees to INEC from being members of political parties. The controversy has sparked debates about the independence and impartiality of the electoral commission, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.",
  "summary": "The Sokoto State Government has defended President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Mustapha Aliyu as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the decision was based on merit rather than his relationship with Governor Ahmed Aliyu. The government’s response followed objections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Sokoto defends Tinubu’s INEC nominee, insists appointment on merit, not family ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/sokoto-defends-tinubus-inec-nominee-insists-appointment-on-merit-not",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:56:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "INEC Commissioner nominated by Tinubu is brother to APC Gov - ADC raises alarm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/inec-commissioner-nominated-by-tinubu-is-brother-to-apc-gov-adc",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:34:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}