By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the completion of his second term in office.
Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the electoral body, completed his initial five-year term in 2020 and was reappointed for a second tenure that has now expired.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Professor Yakubu for his years of service to the nation and his contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through the conduct of elections under his leadership.
The President acknowledged the former INEC chairman’s efforts in promoting electoral reforms and improving transparency within the commission. He noted that Yakubu’s tenure was marked by the management of two general elections and other off-cycle polls across the country.
To recognise his contribution to national development, President Tinubu conferred on Professor Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The statement added that the President directed Professor Yakubu to formally hand over to the most senior National Commissioner at the commission, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee INEC’s affairs pending the appointment of a new chairman.
President Tinubu’s directive signals the beginning of a transition process aimed at ensuring continued administrative stability and adherence to Nigeria’s constitutional provisions regarding the leadership of national institutions.
In a letter dated 3 October 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country for nearly a decade as head of the electoral commission.
He also appreciated the support of stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly, the judiciary, civil society organisations, and the media, who contributed to the electoral reforms and democratic progress recorded during his tenure.
Professor Yakubu’s exit marks the end of one of the longest-serving tenures in the history of Nigeria’s electoral management body.
During his stewardship, INEC introduced several administrative and technological innovations, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, which were adopted to enhance electoral credibility and voter confidence.
While acknowledging that every electoral process presents unique challenges, Yakubu had consistently maintained that the commission remained committed to continuous improvement and the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic culture through credible elections.
His handover to Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu ensures the continuity of the commission’s functions ahead of the appointment of a substantive chairman, as required under Section 14(2) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.
President Tinubu also conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Professor Mahmood Yakubu in recognition of his service as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission as his tenure, which began in 2015, covered two terms during which the commission conducted general elections in 2019 and 2023.
Chronicle Of Nigeria’s Electoral Chiefs From 1960 To 2025: INEC And Its Predecessors
Nigeria’s electoral history has evolved through multiple transitions since independence, marked by successive leaderships that shaped the conduct of elections across various political eras.
The nation’s first electoral body, the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), was established in 1960 and later transformed into the National Electoral Commission (NECON) before becoming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998.
Eyo Esua (1964–1966)
A teacher and trade unionist, Eyo Esua was the first chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body. He led FEDECO during the First Republic under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s government. His tenure coincided with the 1964 and 1965 general elections, which were marked by political tension. His leadership ended following the military coup of January 1966.
Michael Ani (1976–1979)
After a ten-year interruption in electoral administration, General Olusegun Obasanjo reconstituted FEDECO in preparation for the return to civilian rule. Michael Ani, a seasoned public servant, was appointed chairman. He supervised the 1979 elections that ushered in the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari.
Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983)
President Shehu Shagari appointed Victor Ovie-Whiskey to head FEDECO. His tenure saw the conduct of the 1983 general elections, which were heavily contested and later followed by another military coup that ended the Second Republic.
Eme Awa (1987–1989)
Professor Eme Awa became chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NECON) under the military regime of President Ibrahim Babangida. His leadership began Nigeria’s political transition programme intended to restore democracy before the Third Republic.
Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993)
Professor Humphrey Nwosu succeeded Awa and presided over one of Nigeria’s most talked-about elections — the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Although widely regarded as transparent, the election was annulled by the Babangida administration, leading to widespread political unrest.
Okon Uya (June–November 1993)
Professor Okon Uya briefly served as NECON chairman after the departure of Humphrey Nwosu. Appointed in the aftermath of the annulled 1993 election, his short tenure ended with the dissolution of the Babangida government and the emergence of another military regime.
Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998)
Appointed under General Sani Abacha, Dagogo-Jack chaired NECON during the controversial transition programme of the late military ruler. His tenure ended with the demise of the Abacha regime and the dissolution of NECON.
Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000)
Justice Ephraim Akpata became the first chairman of the newly formed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Appointed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Akpata oversaw the 1998–1999 elections that returned Nigeria to democratic rule on 29 May 1999.
Abel Guobadia (2000–2005)
Dr Abel Guobadia, a diplomat and career civil servant, succeeded Akpata. His leadership spanned the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, during which the 2003 general elections were conducted.
Maurice Iwu (2005–2010)
Professor Maurice Iwu, an academic and pharmacognosist, took over as INEC chairman in 2005. His commission conducted the 2007 general elections, one of the most extensive in the post-1999 democratic era.
Attahiru Jega (2010–2015)
Professor Attahiru Jega, a former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, was appointed in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan. His tenure saw the introduction of significant electoral reforms, including biometric voter registration and enhanced result collation systems. He presided over the 2011 and 2015 general elections, the latter resulting in the first democratic transfer of power between political parties in Nigeria’s history.
Mahmood Yakubu (2015– October 7, 2025)
Professor Mahmood Yakubu succeeded Jega in 2015, overseeing two successive general elections in 2019 and 2023. His administration introduced digital innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to strengthen transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
So, from independence to the present, Nigeria’s electoral management bodies have reflected the nation’s democratic journey through cycles of reform, interruption, and renewal.
And across decades of leadership, from FEDECO to INEC, respective chairmen have played pivotal roles in shaping the electoral landscape of Africa’s largest democracy.
