Abuja, October 7, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the departure of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who has begun his terminal leave following the completion of his second term in office. Yakubu, who has served as the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission since 2015, leaves behind a legacy that has attracted both commendation and criticism within Nigeria’s evolving democratic space.
Appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s appointment was renewed in 2020 and has now expired in line with the constitutional limit. During his two-term tenure, he presided over the conduct of two general elections and numerous off-cycle polls, introducing technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal to promote electoral transparency and accountability.
While President Tinubu praised INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu for his contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s democracy, some observers and civil society groups believe his tenure fell below expectations. Critics point to alleged logistical failures during the 2023 general elections, poor result transmission in real time, and perceived inconsistencies in electoral management as reasons why his leadership faced scrutiny from different quarters.
Despite the controversies, the President acknowledged Yakubu’s commitment to sustaining democratic institutions and thanked him for his “dedicated service to the nation.” In recognition of his decade-long stewardship, President Tinubu conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), describing it as a token of appreciation for his role in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
Following the expiration of his term, President Tinubu directed that the most senior National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, assume office as Acting Chairman of INEC. She is expected to oversee the affairs of the commission pending the appointment of a substantive successor in line with constitutional provisions.
In his letter to the President dated October 3, 2025, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation. He maintained that his administration sought to promote fairness, transparency, and innovation in Nigeria’s electoral system despite the challenges encountered.
The Presidency, through its Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition at INEC. The statement emphasized that the Tinubu administration would continue to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the principles of credible, free, and fair elections across Nigeria. GMTNewsng
