President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the expiration of his second term in office.
Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the electoral body, had his tenure renewed in 2020. His leadership officially came to an end after completing two five-year terms.
In a statement on Monday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said President Tinubu appreciated Yakubu’s decade-long service to the nation and his contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
“President Tinubu 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 a mark of recognition for his service, the President conferred on Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The President also directed that May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, should take over the affairs of the commission in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
“Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor,” Onanuga added.
In his response, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country for ten years, noting that it was an honour to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu wrote, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.”
Yakubu’s exit brings to a close a decade of leadership at INEC during which he oversaw two general elections (2019 and 2023) and several off-cycle polls across the country.
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