President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on terminal leave ahead of the completion of his tenure.
The directive has led to the suspension of all Yakubu’s official duties and caused the cancellation of INEC’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties as well as a planned session with civil society organisations.
President Tinubu is expected to forward the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly for confirmation in the coming days.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, taking over from Amina Zakari, who had served in an acting capacity. He was reappointed for a second five-year term in 2020.
The upcoming appointment is seen as a significant step in preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with political observers noting that the next INEC chairperson will play a key role in shaping the country’s electoral process.
