The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that his tenure as the head of Nigeria’s electoral body will come to an end later this year.
Yakubu made the announcement while addressing his colleagues at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday.
He stated that this would be his final appearance at an ECONEC meeting as Nigeria’s electoral body chairman, signalling the end of his second and final term.
Prof. Yakubu, who has served as INEC chairman since November 9, 2015, was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for an initial five-year term, which was later renewed for another five years. He oversaw the controversial 2019 and 2023 general elections.
In his address at the event, Yakubu expressed his gratitude for the support and collaboration of his ECOWAS counterparts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and fostering regional unity. He also called for continued cooperation among election management bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to strengthen democracy across the region.
Yakubu’s confirmation comes just days after rumours circulated online suggesting his removal from office by President Bola Tinubu. These rumours were quickly denied by the presidency.
