Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s exit as INEC chairman, confers him national honour

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second term in office.

Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the electoral body, completed his second five-year tenure in 2025. His appointment was renewed in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Yakubu for his service to the nation and his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through the conduct of credible elections during his tenure.

“The President thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure,” the statement read.

As part of the President’s recognition of Yakubu’s dedication and service, Tinubu has conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The President also directed the outgoing INEC Chairman to hand over to the most senior National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the affairs of the Commission in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

According to the statement, Professor Yakubu, in a letter dated October 3, 2025, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve Nigeria as the head of the nation’s electoral body for nearly a decade.

Yakubu’s tenure was marked by the introduction of significant electoral reforms, including the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which enhanced transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

His exit marks the end of one of the longest-serving chairmanships in INEC’s history, spanning major electoral cycles in 2019, 2023, and various off-cycle elections across the country.