Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s exit, confers national honour on ex-INEC chair

…as president meets Akpabio, Akume behind closed doors

President Bola Tinubu has accepted departure of Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second term in Office.

Yakubu, appointed in November 2015 as the 14th Chairman of the Commission, served two consecutive terms after his reappointment in 2020. His tenure formally ended in accordance with Constitutional provisions.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s service and his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through the conduct of credible elections during his decade-long leadership.

As a mark of honour, the president conferred on Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his “dedicated service to the nation.”

President Tinubu, however, directed Yakubu to hand over the affairs of the Commission to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who would serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman.

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In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve Nigeria since 2015.

Earlier at a meeting with RECs Commissioners, Yakubu Mahmood, had handed over to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu in accordance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the President has met behind closed doors with Godswill Akpabio, Senate President and Gorge Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as part of the consultation ahead of Thursday’s National Council of State meeting where a new Chairman is expected to emerge

Recall that the President had on Monday summoned the Council of State meeting, made up of past Presidents and Heads of States.

He is also expected to meet with the members of the Police Council, immediately after the Council of State meeting

Ruth Tene Natsa and Tony Ailemen

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.