President Bola Tinubu has accepted departure of Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second term in Office.
Yakubu, who was appointed in November 2015 as the 14th Chairman of the Commission, served two consecutive terms after his reappointment in 2020. His tenure formally ended in accordance with Constitutional provisions.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy,Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s service and his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through the conduct of credible elections during his decade-long leadership.
As a mark of honour, the president conferred on Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his “dedicated service to the nation.”
President Tinubu, however, directed Yakubu to hand over the affairs of the Commission to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who would serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve Nigeria since 2015.
Earlier at a meeting with RECs Commissioners, Yakubu Mahmood, had handed over to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu in accordance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
