PRESIDENT TINUBU BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON OUTGOING INEC CHAIRMAN PROF. YAKUBU; ACCEPTS HIS DEPARTURE

opeolumartinOctober 8, 202503 mins

Abuja, Nigeria | October 8, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in recognition of his service to the nation and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process.
This announcement was made in an official statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The statement confirmed that President Tinubu has accepted Professor Yakubu’s departure as INEC Chairman following the expiration of his second term in office.

Professor Yakubu was first appointed as the 14th Chairman of INEC in November 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He served an initial five-year term, which was renewed in 2020, making him the first INEC Chairman to serve two full terms since the commission’s establishment.

In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Professor Yakubu’s dedication to strengthening electoral integrity and for overseeing the conduct of elections aimed at consolidating Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He particularly acknowledged Yakubu’s efforts in organizing multiple electoral cycles under challenging circumstances, including the general elections during his tenure.
As part of the transition process, President Tinubu has directed Professor Yakubu to hand over the affairs of the commission to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will assume the role of acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive replacement.

In his response, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and previous administrations for the opportunity to serve the country. He also thanked Nigerians for their support throughout his tenure and reaffirmed his belief in the resilience of the country’s democratic system.
With this development, attention now shifts to the Presidency as the nation awaits the nomination of a new INEC Chairman to lead Nigeria’s electoral body into its next phase.