President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in recognition of his service to the nation and contribution to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The development was announced on Tuesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that Tinubu has formally accepted Yakubu’s departure following the completion of his second term in office.
President Tinubu praised Professor Yakubu for his role in organising free and fair elections during his two-term tenure, noting that his efforts helped to sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
“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,” the statement read.
“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).”
The President also directed that Yakubu hand over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, who will serve as Acting Chairman of the commission pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015, served as INEC’s 14th chairman. He was reappointed in 2020 for a second five-year term, during which he oversaw multiple general and off-cycle elections across the country.
