The presidency has disclosed that a new national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be announced once the process of appointment is completed.

This was made known in a statement on Tuesday, October 7 as the immediate chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, stepped down following the expiration of his second term tenure.

The statement, which was signed by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, reads in part: "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."

Tinubu, while accepting the departure of the former INEC chairman, conferred the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger(CON), which was in recognition of Yakubu's dedication to the service of Nigeria.

According to the presidency, Tinubu thanked the former INEC boss for his service to the country and his efforts to sustain the democracy of Nigeria, "particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure. See the full statement of the presidency here:

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU ACCEPTS INEC CHAIRMAN'S DEPARTURE, BESTOWS NATIONAL HONOUR ON HIM

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu's departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the expiration of his… pic.twitter.com/TP13MW3ges

— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) October 7, 2025