SaharaReporters has reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to immediately proceed on terminal leave. According to the report, the move follows allegations that Yakubu “betrayed” the All Progressives Congress (APC) by covertly undermining the party’s interests as his tenure winds down.
Alleged Betrayal and Uzodimma’s Briefing
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with Tinubu after his return from a 12-day working vacation. He accused Yakubu of registering new political parties at the twilight of his tenure and covertly supporting a governorship candidate in Imo State. This led Tinubu to request that Yakubu step aside immediately.
INEC Schedule Disrupted
Following the president’s directive, the Commission abruptly cancelled Mahmood Yakubu’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties and a planned engagement with civil society groups. The disruption has thrown INEC’s transition timetable into uncertainty.
Succession Battle Looms
Tinubu is expected to nominate a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days. Mahmood Yakubu, first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has presided over two general elections, making him one of the longest-serving INEC bosses in history.
James Ibori’s Influence in the Shadows
SaharaReporters also reported that former Delta governor James Ibori is lobbying for his associate, Moses Ogbe, to become the next INEC Chairman. Ogbe, a controversial former Resident Electoral Commissioner under Prof. Maurice Iwu, has been linked to flawed polls in 2003 and 2007.
Ibori, who served a UK prison sentence for corruption, is said to have influenced other key political appointments, including those of his daughter and allies.
Implications for Democracy Ahead of 2027 Elections
The forced leave of Mahmood Yakubu raises questions about INEC’s independence at a critical time. As the 2027 elections draw closer, the contest over who becomes the next INEC Chairman will shape perceptions of Nigeria’s democratic credibility.