President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the completion of his second term in office.
Professor Yakubu, who first took office in November 2015 as the 14th head of the electoral body, completed his second five-year tenure, which began in 2020.
His tenure officially came to an end this month, marking the conclusion of ten years of leadership at the commission.In a statement released on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expressed his appreciation for Yakubu’s dedication and service to the nation.
He acknowledged the former INEC chairman’s efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system through the conduct of credible elections over the years.As a mark of honour, President Tinubu conferred on Yakubu the national title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in recognition of his decade-long service to the country.
Following Yakubu’s exit, the President directed that May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, should temporarily take charge of the commission’s affairs until a new chairman is appointed.
The transition is expected to ensure continuity in the commission’s activities as preparations for future elections continue.Professor Yakubu, in his farewell message to the President, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation during his tenure.
His time at the commission covered two general elections held in 2019 and 2023, as well as several off-cycle polls conducted across different states.
His departure marks the end of a decade of administrative leadership at INEC, during which the commission implemented several electoral reforms aimed at improving the transparency and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process.