Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has confirmed that his tenure will end later this year.

He made the announcement at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, The Gambia, on April 10, 2025.

Background and Tenure
Yakubu has served as INEC Chairman since November 9, 2015, overseeing two general elections in 2019 and 2023. His second term is set to expire later this year.

The confirmation comes after rumors circulated online suggesting his removal from office by President Bola Tinubu, which were quickly denied by the presidency.

Call for Regional Collaboration
During his address, Yakubu emphasized the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and fostering regional unity. He called for stronger collaboration among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to strengthen democracy across the region.

Concerns about Democracy in West Africa
Yakubu expressed concern that four countries in the region have recently fallen from democratic rule. However, he remains hopeful that these nations will soon return to democratic governance.

ECONEC’s Role
The ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) plays a vital role in sustaining democratic practices across West Africa. The assembly brought together chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from 11 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

Next Steps
Yakubu will join ECONEC President Konneh Mohamed Kenewui of Sierra Leone for a series of visits to key stakeholders in The Gambia as part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election in 2026.