President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially 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.
Professor Yakubu, who first assumed leadership of the commission in November 2015, served two consecutive five-year terms, making him one of the longest-serving electoral chiefs in Nigeria’s history. His tenure, which formally ended this October, was marked by significant electoral reforms, the introduction of technology-driven voting processes, and the successful conduct of multiple general and off-cycle elections across the country.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed profound appreciation to Professor Yakubu for his “dedicated service to the nation and his steadfast commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.”
The President commended Yakubu for steering INEC through some of the most complex electoral cycles in the country’s democratic history, ensuring the conduct of elections that, in his words, “reflected the will of the Nigerian people.”
As a mark of national recognition, President Tinubu has conferred on Professor Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The award, the President noted, symbolizes the government’s appreciation for Yakubu’s “indelible contributions to electoral integrity and democratic consolidation.”
In the same directive, President Tinubu ordered the outgoing chairman to hand over the leadership of the commission to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner at INEC, who will oversee the agency in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
In his own letter to the President, dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation for nearly a decade, describing the experience as both “challenging and fulfilling.” He also thanked INEC staff, political parties, civil society organisations, and Nigerians for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
“It has been an honour to serve Nigeria in this capacity. I remain deeply grateful for the trust reposed in me and the opportunity to contribute to the development of our democratic process,” Yakubu wrote.
Under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC oversaw the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) — technologies aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing electoral fraud, and improving voter confidence in the electoral system. Despite challenges and controversies that often accompany Nigeria’s electoral process, Yakubu is widely regarded as having modernized the commission’s operations and laid a foundation for greater institutional independence.
Political observers note that Yakubu’s exit marks the end of a pivotal era in Nigeria’s electoral history. His tenure spanned two administrations — those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu — and witnessed landmark elections, including the 2019 and 2023 general polls, as well as numerous state governorship contests.
As the commission transitions to new leadership, attention now turns to the appointment of a successor who will be tasked with sustaining INEC’s reform momentum, addressing operational challenges, and further deepening the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Professor Yakubu’s departure also comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s democratic journey, as the nation prepares for upcoming off-season elections in several states and ongoing debates over electoral reforms.
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