Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organised free and fair elections, President Bola Tinubu has said.
The president said this in his official response to the exit of Yakubu.
Daily Trust had reported how the former INEC Chairman handed over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, earlier on Tuesday.
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Yakubu had asked his former colleagues to cooperate with Agbamuche-Mbu.
Reacting through a statement which Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued on his behalf, Tinubu said he accepted Yakubu’s departure following the expiration of his second term in office.
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
“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.”
“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).”
On his part, Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.
There have been mixed reactions to the elections which Yakubu conducted during his time in office. While some hailed him, others criticised the commission’s handling of election under his watch.
In a book he authored earlier this year, former President Olusegun Obasanjo scored Yakubu low.
“No wonder politicians do not put much confidence in election which the INEC of Professor Mahmood Yakubu polluted and grossly undermined to make a charade.”
“Most politicians believe in the will of the tribunal judges, court of appeal judges and Supreme Court judges. No matter what the will of the people may be, the Chairman of INEC since after the 2015 election had made his will greater and more important than the will of the people.”
