President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from his role as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of his constitutionally permitted two-term tenure.
Prof. Yakubu, who was initially appointed in November 2015, served as the 14th INEC chairman.
His appointment was renewed in 2020 for a second and final five-year term, which has now concluded.
In a statement issued Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to Yakubu for his decade-long stewardship and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development, particularly in ensuring the conduct of credible and transparent elections across the country.
As a mark of appreciation, President Tinubu conferred on the outgoing chairman the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The president has also directed that May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, assume the role of acting chairman.
She will oversee the commission’s affairs pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu conveyed his appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve the nation over the past ten years, saying it was an honour to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes.
