PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second and final tenure, marking the end of a decade-long leadership that oversaw two general elections and several landmark reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system.
News Point Nigeria reports that in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed appreciation to Professor Yakubu for his years of service to Nigeria and his role in deepening the nation’s democratic process.
“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,” the statement read.
In recognition of his service, President Tinubu conferred on Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Following his exit, the President directed that the most senior national commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal practitioner and long-serving INEC official should take charge as Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
Yakubu, in a letter dated October 3, 2025, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the privilege of serving the country through the commission.
At a brief ceremony at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Professor Yakubu formally handed over to Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, saying his decision to step down was in line with Section 306 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years and with only a few weeks remaining in my tenure, I have decided to hand over to one of the most senior national commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu,” he said.
Yakubu explained that the move would allow sufficient time for the appointment of a new chairman and a smooth transition ahead of upcoming elections, including the Anambra governorship election next month and other off-cycle polls in 2026.
He commended INEC staff, national commissioners, civil society groups, international observers, and Nigerian citizens for their support throughout his tenure.
“I thank Nigerians for their comments and criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us. We persevered to sustain and strengthen the electoral process,” he added.
Yakubu presented two publications documenting his stewardship, “Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025” and “Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025” as part of his farewell.
Presidency sources told News Point Nigeria that President Tinubu will present the list of nominees for the position of INEC Chairman before the Council of State at its meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
The Council, which includes former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, all state governors, and former Chief Justices of Nigeria, will advise the President before he announces a substantive replacement.
And according to Daily Trust, sources have hinted that three eminent Nigerians are under consideration for the position, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman (rtd), and Professor Lai Olurode.
Barring last-minute changes, Professor Amupitan, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, is reportedly favoured for the job.
Amupitan, born in 1967 in Kogi State, is a respected scholar and legal practitioner with specialisation in Corporate Law, Privatisation Law, and Corporate Governance.
Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, a retired Court of Appeal Justice from Nasarawa State, and Professor Lai Olurode, a sociologist and former INEC National Commissioner from Lagos State, are also reportedly being considered.
Reacting to public debate over the appointment process, leading constitutional lawyers and Senior Advocates of Nigeria offered varying opinions.
Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, dismissed the growing agitation over who appoints the INEC chairman, calling it a “distraction from more pressing governance issues.”
“Was it not President Jonathan who appointed Professor Jega, and yet he lost the 2015 election? The key issue isn’t who appoints, but how politicians and citizens conduct themselves during elections,” he said.
Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, supported the President’s constitutional power to appoint the chairman subject to Senate confirmation, citing Sections 153 and 154 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The system provides checks and balances through Senate screening. What is crucial is that the nominee undergoes a rigorous, transparent, and non-partisan confirmation process,” he said.
Similarly, Wale Balogun, SAN, argued for “a credible and transparent selection system” while acknowledging that existing constitutional checks are sufficient if diligently applied.
Professor Yakubu, who was appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed in 2020, made history as the first INEC chairman to serve two consecutive terms.
During his tenure, he oversaw the 2019 and 2023 general elections, expanded the number of polling units nationwide, introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and launched the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency.
He institutionalised continuous voter registration, prioritised accessibility for persons with disabilities, and strengthened election monitoring and logistics systems.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. The 2023 general elections were marred by technical glitches, delays in result transmission, and allegations of irregularities that drew widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
Despite this, many credit him for preserving INEC’s institutional independence under immense political pressure.
“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” Yakubu said during his farewell address.
As he bowed out, the outgoing INEC chairman expressed hope that his successor would build upon existing reforms and further entrench credibility and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system.