- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, following his departure from the commission.
NPO Reported that Mahmood had yesterday hand over to May Agbumuche-Mbu who took on the Chairmanship role in acting capacity as Mahmood’s ten years tenure came to an end.
While accepting the ex-INEC Chairman’s exit, Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed his gratitude to Mahmood for his service to the nation.
He conferred the CON honour on him in recognition of his service while consenting his handing over to Agbamuche-Mbu who is considered the most senior national commissioner of the electoral body.
The statement read; “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the expiration of his second term in office.
“Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years.
“The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
“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 (CON).
“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.
“In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.”
Meanwhile, in her acceptance remark during the handover ceremony yesterday, Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed humility and honour at the appointment.
She paid tribute to Prof. Yakubu’s significant contributions and assured the commission of continuity.
“We assure you that the commission will do our very best to maintain and uphold the standards you have set. We will continue from where you stopped,” Agbamuche-Mbu stated.
She pledged to “uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication, and in unity” with commissioners, directors, staff, and stakeholders.