In what has stirred fresh debate across the political space, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.
The development comes just weeks before the end of Yakubu’s statutory term, raising both curiosity and speculation about the President’s decision. Sources close to the presidency revealed that the directive was issued as part of a transition process at the electoral body.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has been at the helm of INEC since 2015, is expected to formally conclude his ten-year tenure on October 21, 2025. His decade in office has been one of the most eventful in Nigeria’s democratic history, overseeing two general elections and several off-cycle polls.
While no official statement has been released by the Presidency as of press time, reports indicate that President Tinubu asked Yakubu to suspend all official duties and proceed on what has been described as “terminal leave.” The leave, sources explained, is to enable a smooth handover process within the Commission.
Lending weight to the development, Lere Olayinka, social media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, confirmed the move in a post on Monday evening. According to him, “President Tinubu only directed the INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of his tenure expiration, which is on October 21, 2025—less than 30 days from today.”
The decision has already begun to generate mixed reactions. Some political analysts view it as a routine administrative process, noting that public office holders often proceed on terminal leave before the end of their tenure. Others, however, argue that the timing could trigger speculation given the sensitive role of INEC in Nigeria’s democracy.
Prof. Yakubu’s tenure has not been without controversy. His leadership witnessed sweeping electoral reforms, the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the push for electronic transmission of results. These measures were hailed as transformative by some observers, though heavily criticized by sections of the opposition.
As the news of his leave filters across the nation, attention has now shifted to the Presidency for an official announcement and, more importantly, to who will be appointed in an acting capacity. The next leadership of INEC is expected to play a crucial role in consolidating electoral reforms and preparing the ground for future elections.
For now, Nigerians watch keenly as the clock ticks toward October 21, when Yakubu’s tenure officially comes to an end. The coming days will determine whether this move signals a seamless transition or sets the stage for another heated political debate.
