INEC Staff Bid Farewell to Ex-Chairman Mahmood Yakubu with Hymn ‘God Be With You Till We Meet Again’ | The Bureau News
By Enemona Samuel Endurance, Abuja
The Bureau News reports that staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have bid an emotional farewell to outgoing chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu with a symbolic rendition of the Christian hymn, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.”
The short video, which surfaced on social media, shows several INEC staff members gathered at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, singing the solemn tune — a song traditionally associated with funerals and farewells. While the mood appeared respectful, observers noted a subtle tone of irony, given the controversies that trailed Yakubu’s decade-long tenure.
Symbolic Send-Off After Tinubu’s Confirmation
The farewell came shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally confirmed Yakubu’s exit as INEC Chairman and directed him to proceed on early terminal leave ahead of his official end-of-tenure date in December 2025.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Yakubu’s departure as part of a smooth transition process. He is to be replaced by Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), whose appointment will be presented to the Council of State later this week.
Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, confirmed by the Senate on October 29, and sworn in on November 9, 2015. He was reappointed in 2020 for a second term and is now bowing out after serving a combined ten years as Nigeria’s electoral chief.
Controversy and Criticism Marked His Tenure
Yakubu’s stewardship, particularly the 2023 general elections, drew widespread criticism from opposition parties, civil society, and international observers. Despite promises of a transparent, technology-driven process through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), technical failures on election day fueled accusations of vote manipulation and loss of public confidence.
Opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party) challenged the results declaring Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, alleging irregularities. Human-rights groups, including SERAP and the Transition Monitoring Group, called for an investigation into what they described as “technical failure and human compromise.”
Yakubu repeatedly defended INEC, attributing the lapses to unforeseen technical glitches rather than deliberate sabotage. Nevertheless, the controversy remains a major talking point in Nigeria’s democratic history.
A Farewell Song Laden with Symbolism
The use of the funeral hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” by INEC staff appeared to convey both respect and relief — a quiet closure to one of the most scrutinized leadership eras in the Commission’s history. For many observers, the song served as a metaphor for transition, accountability, and the hope for electoral renewal under the incoming leadership.
Economic & Social Undercurrents
The Bureau News notes that the unfolding transition at INEC coincides with broader governance challenges, including inflation, public distrust, and rising living costs nationwide. According to foodstuff price list Mile 12 Lagos today and foodstuff price list Wuse Market Abuja today, Nigerians continue to grapple with increased food and commodity prices driven by fuel costs and transport bottlenecks.
Today’s Top Food Prices in Lagos & Abuja — The Bureau News
| Item | Mile 12 (₦) | Wuse Market (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (50 kg) | 64,800 | 67,900 |
| Beans (50 kg) | 58,000 | 61,000 |
| Garri (50 kg) | 23,900 | 24,600 |
| Palm Oil (25 L) | 35,000 | 37,100 |
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