Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially announced his intention to step down from his position later this year.
Yakubu made this declaration during his address at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday.
He noted that this gathering would represent his final appearance as Nigeria’s electoral chief, marking the end of his second and final term.
Since his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2015, Yakubu has overseen INEC through pivotal electoral events, including the contentious general elections of 2019 and 2023.
His initial five-year term was extended for an additional five years.
In his speech, Yakubu expressed gratitude for the support and collaboration he has received from his ECOWAS counterparts.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and fostering regional unity, urging continued cooperation among election management bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to enhance democracy in the region.
His announcement follows recent speculation about a potential removal by President Bola Tinubu, which was swiftly denied by the presidency.
The speculation arose after INEC shared on social media that Sam Olumekun, identified as the acting chairman, hosted a delegation from the Labour Party led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti.
However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, clarified that Olumekun was temporarily substituting for Yakubu during the ECONEC meeting.
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During his time in Banjul, Yakubu reflected on both the successes and challenges encountered throughout his tenure and acknowledged the significant contributions of past ECONEC members in strengthening democratic institutions across West Africa.
He expressed concerns about the current state of democracy in the region, noting that four countries have recently experienced a decline in governance quality.
Despite this, he remains optimistic that these nations will return to democratic rule soon.
Yakubu’s address garnered strong support from fellow EMB leaders, who recognized the crucial role of ECONEC in promoting democratic practices throughout the region.
The assembly included chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from countries such as Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
