Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been appointed Acting National Chairman of the commission.
Agbamuche-Mbu, the longest-serving National Commissioner in INEC, assumed her new role on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja. She also chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC).
Professor Yakubu, whose second and final five-year term is set to end in November 2025, urged commissioners and directors to offer their full support to Agbamuche-Mbu as she leads the commission until a substantive chairman is appointed.
The outgoing Chairman highlighted that his departure follows the constitutional term limit, having previously completed his first term in November 2020 before being reappointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a second term.
In an emotionally charged address, Professor Yakubu expressed profound gratitude to INEC staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners, thanking them for their dedication, commitment, and hard work throughout his tenure.
He solicited the support of the commissioners and directors of the commission for Agbamuche, until the appointment of a substantive chairman.
President Tinubu is expected to appoint his successor soon, subject to a Senate confirmation.
Yakubu was first appointed the INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the activities of the electoral umpire in November 2015, six months after he assumed the office as the President.
Yakubu’s reappointment by President Buhari made him the first person to serve as INEC chairman for two terms.
He took over from Professor Attahiru Jega, with INEC conducting many elections, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
