By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Abuja, Nigeria – October 7, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Thursday preside over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the appointment of a successor to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to top the agenda.
The meeting, which will also deliberate on the creation of state police and other national security matters, is expected to bring together Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all state governors.
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According to sources within the Presidency, President Tinubu may present a shortlist of potential INEC chairmanship nominees to the Council for consultation before making a formal recommendation to the National Assembly.
Established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the Council of State serves as an advisory body to the President on key national issues, including the appointment of the INEC Chairman, the Inspector-General of Police, and members of the National Population Commission.
Prof. Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, is nearing the end of his tenure, fueling discussions about the leadership direction of Nigeria’s electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A political analyst, Dr. Lateef Odegbenle, noted that the meeting “will be critical in shaping Nigeria’s democratic and security future,” adding that “Nigerians expect clarity on how the government intends to strengthen electoral credibility and policing reforms.”
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Thursday’s gathering marks President Tinubu’s first Council of State meeting since assuming office in May 2023, and expectations remain high that major policy directions could emerge from the session.
