President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the completion of his second term in office.
According to a State House press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Yakubu’s tenure officially came to an end after serving two consecutive terms in line with constitutional provisions.
Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission, was reappointed in 2020 for another five-year term, which has now expired.
President Tinubu, in his message, expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s contributions to the nation’s democratic journey, commending him for his role in organising free and fair elections throughout his tenure.
The President said Yakubu’s leadership helped to strengthen electoral integrity and build public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In recognition of his dedicated service, Tinubu conferred on the outgoing chairman the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The statement further revealed that the President has directed Professor Yakubu to hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the commission’s affairs in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation since 2015, noting that it had been a privilege to contribute to Nigeria’s democratic development.
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