President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the resignation of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after a historic ten-year tenure marked by significant electoral reforms. Yakubu, who was the first INEC chairman to serve two consecutive five-year terms since his appointment in November 2015, formally handed over leadership to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the senior-most National Commissioner, who will act as the commission’s interim chair pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
In recognition of Yakubu’s contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through free and fair elections, President Tinubu conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), one of the country’s highest awards. The President commended Yakubu for his dedication and pivotal role in modernizing electoral administration, including overseeing digital transformation efforts such as biometric voter registration and electronic transmission of results.
Yakubu’s farewell came during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC’s Abuja headquarters, where he expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the chance to serve the nation and urged continued support for Agbamuche-Mbu as acting chairman. Over his decade in office, Yakubu steered the electoral body through several crucial elections, including the 2019 and 2023 general polls, leaving a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
May Agbamuche-Mbu, a respected legal expert with three decades of experience, now leads INEC during this transitional phase as the commission prepares for upcoming elections. President Tinubu’s prompt appointment of a substantive INEC chairman, subject to Senate confirmation, remains widely anticipated.