Tinubu Accepts Yakubu’s Exit as INEC Chairman, Sets Stage to Appoint Successor

President Bola Tinubu has formally accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the conclusion of his second and final tenure.

Yakubu officially handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, a veteran legal mind, who will serve as acting chairman until a substantive successor is appointed. The President is expected to present a list of nominees to the Council of State on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

In recognition of his decade of service, Tinubu conferred upon Yakubu the national honour Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The declaration was made via a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

The statement read, “President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure. In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.”

Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President in a letter dated October 3, 2025, for the privilege of leading INEC over ten years. During his tenure, he oversaw the 2019 and 2023 general elections and multiple off-cycle polls. His leadership introduced key reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the Results Viewing Portal, continuous voter registration and expanded access for persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.

While his term was lauded for innovation and institutional continuity, challenges such as system glitches, delayed result transmission and persistent questions of neutrality and fairness trailed his final years.

Veteran legal practitioner Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, weighed in on controversies surrounding the appointment process for the next INEC chair. He warned against fixation on who appoints the chairman instead of addressing deeper electoral and governance challenges. He cited past precedents, noting that Prof. Attahiru Jega was appointed by a sitting president but later presided over an election won by the then-incumbent.

Adedipe argued, “The integrity of elections depends more on character and conduct than titles.” He maintained that the President’s power to nominate is constitutionally valid, but that the real test lies in transparency, a rigorous Senate confirmation process and public confidence in the person chosen.

During a stakeholders’ meeting at INEC headquarters, Yakubu formally handed over to Agbamuche-Mbu. He cited Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in explaining his orderly exit and encouraged the appointing authorities to allow time for a proper transition.

Yakubu warned that upcoming responsibilities remain heavy: elections in Anambra, FCT, Ekiti, Osun and preparations for the 2027 general elections. He stressed that the commission must continue updating the voter register, reviewing polling unit allocations and strengthening party primary oversight under evolving electoral law frameworks.

In his farewell, Yakubu handed over two publications: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025. He thanked colleagues, national youth service corps members, civil society groups and critics alike for pushing INEC toward growth.

Meanwhile, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas pledged that parliament would partner with the executive to drive electoral reforms, constitutional amendments, security enhancement and economic renewal. He emphasised the urgency of passing a robust Electoral Act Amendment Bill, strengthening institutions, improving competition in party primaries and exploring community policing frameworks to give states a role in security under federal oversight.

As Yakubu exits, Nigeria enters a critical phase where the next INEC head’s choice and performance may shape public trust and the legitimacy of elections to come.