The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has formally handed over leadership of the Commission to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will now serve as Acting National Chairman. The transition follows Yakubu’s decision to proceed on terminal leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.
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The formal handover took place on Tuesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). Agbamuche-Mbu, the oldest serving National Commissioner in the electoral body, will oversee the affairs of the Commission pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Speaking at the handover meeting, Yakubu cited Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the basis for his decision to step down.
“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years, with only a few weeks remaining in my tenure, I have made a decision,” he said. “Following consultation with other national commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the Commission.”
Yakubu thanked colleagues, stakeholders, civil society groups, development partners, and Nigerians for their support during his tenure, particularly highlighting the contributions of the National Youth Service Corps members, whom he described as “among the most educated, patriotic, and knowledgeable election officials I have worked with.”
As part of his farewell, Yakubu presented two publications documenting the Commission’s work under his leadership: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025. “All that remains at this point is for me to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy,” he said.
Yakubu also outlined preparations for upcoming elections, including the Anambra State governorship election next month, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council election in February 2026, the Ekiti State governorship election in June 2026, and the Osun governorship election in August 2026. He confirmed that INEC has begun preparations for the 2027 general elections while awaiting the passage of a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.
Reflecting on his decade-long tenure, Yakubu highlighted the logistical and administrative challenges faced by the Commission, including insecurity, natural disasters such as floods, and the need to accommodate internally displaced voters. He also emphasized the technological innovations introduced under his leadership, including digital platforms for voter registration, party finance management, virtual training, and election monitoring.
Born in May 1962, Yakubu previously served as Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund. He was appointed INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, following Senate confirmation, and assumed office on November 9, 2015, succeeding Professor Attahiru Jega. In 2020, he was reappointed for a second five-year term, becoming the first INEC chairman in Nigeria’s democratic history to serve two consecutive terms.
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