The President had also directed him to hand over the commission’s leadership to the senior national commissioner.
By Idris Saidu
365Daily – President Bola Tinubu has accepted the exit of Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the conclusion of his second term.
This is just as he conferred the prestigious national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him in recognition of “his dedication and integrity. ”
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
Tinubu commended Yakubu for his “significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process,”, while highlighting his stewardship in “conducting free and fair elections over the past decade.”
“Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s committed service has strengthened our electoral system and deepened the roots of democracy in Nigeria. For this, the nation owes him a debt of gratitude,” he said.
The President had also directed him to hand over the commission’s leadership to the senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee INEC’s affairs until a new chairman is appointed.
Yakubu, who first assumed the role in November 2015, with another tenure in 2020, stepped down as his appointment expired.
In his farewell letter dated October 3, he thanked the president for the appointment, saying, “I am deeply humbled to have served my country and grateful to President Tinubu for entrusting me with this crucial responsibility.”