… Says he’s still in charge 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has firmly dismissed growing speculation over his alleged removal from office, stating unequivocally on Monday that he remains the duly appointed Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation.

Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the swearing-in of two new INEC National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu, Yakubu reiterated that not only is he still at the helm of the electoral commission, but work is also underway to reform the nation’s electoral laws before the 2027 general elections.

“Under the Constitution, I remain the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and, under the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer for the presidential election,” Yakubu said, calling ongoing rumours of his exit “unnecessary speculation”.

He revealed that INEC had concluded a review of the 2023 general elections, generating a total of 142 reform proposals—eight of which will require amendments to either the Electoral Act or the Constitution.

“We have already had engagements with the National Assembly’s electoral reform committees in Lagos,” he said, adding that a public hearing would soon follow, after which a new electoral amendment bill would be prepared for presidential assent.

The Chairman expressed confidence in the progress being made, noting that the National Assembly had shown a commendable level of urgency and commitment to the reform process.

“In the end, the goal is to have some of the necessary amendments passed well ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he affirmed.

Yakubu also addressed the newly completed appointments to the commission, stating that INEC now has almost the full complement of its 13-member structure, following the swearing-in of Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (Northwest) and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja (Southeast).

He also acknowledged the recent passing of one of INEC’s commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), whose position remains to be filled.

President Tinubu also used the opportunity to swear in two commissioners for the Code of Conduct Bureau: Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem from Cross River State and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure from Taraba State