JOMBANG, thekabarnews.com—The Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) has selected KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin) as chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama’s central executive board for the 2026–2031 term.

The council reached the decision through deliberations during NU’s 35th Muktamar [Congress] in Jombang, East Java, early Monday, August 31.

KH Anwar Iskandar, one of AHWA’s nine senior clerics, announced the result before congress participants at the multipurpose hall of the Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Tambakberas.

“After deliberating on the five proposed candidates, the members of Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi unanimously decided to select KH Abdul Hakim [Gus Kikin] as chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board for the 2026–2031 term,” Anwar said while reading the council’s official report, according to NU Online.

The appointment places Gus Kikin at the head of PBNU’s executive branch, known as the Tanfidziyah.

He will work alongside KH Miftachul Akhyar, whom AHWA unanimously re-elected as rais aam, the senior leader of NU’s religious council, for the same five-year term. NU announced Miftachul Akhyar’s selection on Sunday night.

Congress delegates approved the use of AHWA to select the PBNU chairman after a vote during the third plenary session.

Of the 552 registered voters, 401 supported the AHWA mechanism, while 150 preferred to retain a direct vote.

The congress first collected nominations from NU’s regional and branch organizations. Gus Kikin received 472 nominations, the highest total among the eligible candidates.

KH Zulfa Mustofa followed with 262, while KH Abdussalam Shohib received 261. KH Yahya Cholil Staquf secured 258 nominations, and KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin received 155.

Miftachul Akhyar approved the five candidates before he and the eight other AHWA members began their final deliberations. The council then reached a consensus instead of holding another ballot.

Gus Kikin was born in Jombang on August 17, 1958. He leads the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School and was elected chairman of the East Java NU regional board for the 2024–2029 term.

He succeeded KH Salahuddin Wahid, known as Gus Sholah, as Tebuireng’s caretaker. Through his maternal family, Gus Kikin is a descendant of NU founder KH Hasyim Asy’ari.

Before the congress, Gus Kikin said East Java’s NU organizations had asked him to contest the chairmanship. He described the nomination as an organizational responsibility rather than a personal ambition.

His selection concludes NU’s leadership succession at the Jombang congress. The incoming leadership will now form the wider PBNU management and set the organization’s agenda for the next five years.