By Deborah Nnamdi
The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially changed hands, as Professor Mahmood Yakubu handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been appointed Acting National Chairman of the commission.
Agbamuche-Mbu, the longest-serving National Commissioner at INEC, assumed her new role on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. She currently chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance, and Complaints Committee, which oversees legal compliance and candidate screening.
Professor Yakubu, whose second and final five-year term will expire in November 2025, said the handover was in line with constitutional provisions guiding tenure limits for public officeholders. He urged commissioners, directors, and other staff to give their full cooperation and support to Agbamuche-Mbu as she leads the commission pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In his farewell remarks, Yakubu expressed appreciation to INEC staff, RECs, and stakeholders for their professionalism and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy during his tenure. He described his service as both challenging and rewarding, highlighting improvements in electoral transparency, technology adoption, and voter engagement.
Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman in November 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed for a second term in 2020—making him the first to serve two full terms in the commission’s history. During his leadership, INEC conducted the 2019 and 2023 general elections, along with several off-cycle and by-elections nationwide.
Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as the commission prepares for off-cycle governorship elections and continuous voter registration exercises. Her vast experience in legal and administrative roles is expected to ensure stability and continuity during the transition.
Under her leadership, INEC is expected to sustain focus on electoral reforms, technological upgrades, and stakeholder engagement. Professor Yakubu’s departure marks the end of a decade-long tenure defined by major reforms and efforts to build public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
