Tinubu Honours Outgoing INEC Chairman Yakubu with National Award

President Bola Tinubu has accepted the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the completion of his second term.

Yakubu, who first took office in 2015 and was reappointed in 2020, stepped down after nearly a decade leading Nigeria’s election body.

During his tenure, INEC introduced major reforms including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing portal, both aimed at improving transparency and building voter trust. These innovations reshaped how elections were managed across the country and became central to Nigeria’s electoral process.

In recognition of his years of service, President Tinubu awarded Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger. The President praised him for his role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring fairer elections during his time in office.

Following his departure, Tinubu directed Yakubu to hand over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC. Agbamuche-Mbu will now serve as acting chairman until a new head of the commission is appointed.

Yakubu officially signed his exit note during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja. The ceremony was attended by national commissioners, directors, and senior staff, marking the start of a new administrative chapter for the commission.

In his farewell message, Yakubu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and thanked INEC officials for their cooperation throughout his tenure. He urged them to continue supporting the acting chairman to maintain the commission’s progress and integrity.

Agbamuche-Mbu, a lawyer with decades of experience, has served as an INEC national commissioner since 2016 and was reappointed in 2021. She has played active roles in election monitoring, legal compliance, and stakeholder relations within the commission.

Her appointment follows the standard administrative process that allows the most senior commissioner to take charge when the position of chairman becomes vacant. She is expected to oversee ongoing election preparations and guide the commission through its transition period.

Yakubu’s exit concludes one of the most eventful eras in INEC’s history, marked by both technological advancements and heated political contests. Under his leadership, the commission expanded voter access, modernised its systems, and improved logistics for national and state elections.

As the commission moves forward under new leadership, preparations continue for the upcoming Anambra governorship election and the review of electoral procedures ahead of future polls.