Olushola Omogbehin
Following the expiration of the second term tenure of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted his departure as the head of the number one electoral body of the nation.
Already, Yakubu, has handed over on Tuesday to May Agbamuche-Mbu who is a senior national commissioner of the commission and a seasoned legal practitioner in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
President Tinubu is expected to name Yakubu’s successor after presenting the list of nominees for the coveted number one electoral umpire in the nation to the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Former Presidents like Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan with state governors and other eminent Nigerians are expected to advise the President before he makes an official announcement.
Meanwhile, in recognition of his service, the President conferred upon Yakubu, the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed on Tuesday, that Tinubu appreciates the outgoing INEC boss for his services to the nation.
According to him, “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.
“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.”
Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as INEC’s 14th chairman for a five-year term and reappointed in 2020 for another five years, expressed gratitude to the President for the privilege of overseeing the commission for two terms.
So far, Yakubu oversaw the 2019 and 2023 general elections and numerous off-cycle elections across the nation.
Though the replacement for Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the head of INEC is yet to be revealed to the public but there are speculations that Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), is a likely replacement to oversee the forthcoming Anambra governorship election as his first assignment.
