Agbamuche acting as INEC Chairman; Tinubu confers CON on former-INEC Chair Yakubu
Professor Mahmood Yakubu on the directive of President Tinubu Tuesday handed over to May Agbamuche as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
“President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor,” Onanuga added.
Agbamuche is the oldest serving National Commissioner in the electoral body.
Professor Yakubu announced this on Tuesday at the ongoing meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
He solicited the support of the commissioners and directors of the commission for Agbamuche, until the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu is leaving office as INEC chairman, having completed his two-term tenure of 10 years.
President Tinubu is expected to appoint his successor soon, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
Yakubu was first appointed the INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the activities of the electoral umpire in November 2015, six months after he assumed the office as the President.
He completed his first term in office as the electoral body’s chairman in 2020 and was reappointed for a second tenure by President Buhari.
Yakubu’s reappointment by President Buhari made him the first person to serve as INEC chairman for two terms.
He took over from Professor Attahiru Jega, with INEC conducting many elections, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate-past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in recognition of his service to Nigeria and his role in strengthening the nation’s democracy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Tinubu has formally accepted Yakubu’s exit from office and commended his dedication to credible elections during his tenure.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
He added that the President’s gesture was a mark of appreciation for Yakubu’s “contributions to the nation” and his “commitment to democratic governance.”
“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,” the statement read.
