By Peter Dansu May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has taken over as the A...
By Peter Dansu
May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has taken over as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.
Her appointment follows the formal handover by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave after serving as INEC Chairman for ten years.
The transition was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Professor Yakubu said his decision to step down was in line with Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving for the past 10 years, I have decided to hand over to one of the most senior National Commissioners by date of appointment,” Yakubu said. “After consultation with other National Commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.”
He explained that the move would give the appointing authorities enough time to select a new chairman and allow for a smooth transition before upcoming elections.
Yakubu expressed appreciation to his colleagues, INEC staff, stakeholders, civil society groups, and Nigerians for their support throughout his tenure.
“I have worked with 24 National Commissioners, 67 Resident Electoral Commissioners, and countless staff across the country. Those who have been involved in elections understand how demanding it can be. I will forever cherish their support,” he said.
He also commended members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing them as some of the most educated, patriotic, and dependable election officials he had worked with.
“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments and criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” he added.
As part of his farewell, Professor Yakubu presented two publications chronicling INEC’s progress during his tenure — Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.
He prayed for the continued growth of Nigeria’s democracy before officially handing over to Agbamuche-Mbu.
“It is now my pleasure to sign my official handover notes and present them to Agbamuche-Mbu. From this point, I take my exit,” he said.
Before his exit, Yakubu briefed stakeholders on INEC’s preparations for several upcoming elections — including the Anambra governorship election next month, the FCT Area Council election in February 2026, the Ekiti governorship election in June 2026, and the Osun governorship election in August 2026.
He confirmed that INEC has already begun preparing for the 2027 general elections while awaiting the passage of a new Electoral Act by the National Assembly.
Yakubu highlighted ongoing tasks such as cleaning up the voters’ register, reviewing polling unit locations, and improving the management of party primaries.
He also reflected on the Commission’s progress and challenges, citing innovations introduced under his leadership — such as the biometric voter register, digital election monitoring systems, virtual training platforms, and the Election Monitoring and Support Centre.
“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but there is still much work to be done,” he said.
Born in May 1962, Professor Yakubu previously served as the Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund before being appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015.
He assumed office on November 9, 2015, succeeding Professor Attahiru Jega, and was reappointed for a second term in 2020 — the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history that an INEC Chairman served two consecutive terms.
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