May Agbamuche-Mbu assumes leadership as Professor Mahmood Yakubu exits after 10-year tenure

ABUJA, Nigeria – National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu has taken over as acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s formal handover on Tuesday.

Yakubu Hands Over After Decade of Service

Professor Mahmood Yakubu stepped down as INEC Chairman during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the Commission’s Abuja headquarters. He cited Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal basis for his departure on terminal leave.

After 10 years at the helm, Yakubu explained his decision to hand over with just weeks left in his tenure. “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 told attendees.

Following consultations with other national commissioners, Yakubu selected May Agbamuche-Mbu, one of the most senior commissioners by appointment date, to serve in an acting capacity. The timing gives authorities room to appoint a substantive chairman while allowing the new leader to settle into what Yakubu described as “Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment.”

Agbamuche-Mbu Steps Into Leadership Role

May Agbamuche-Mbu becomes the first woman to lead INEC, even in an acting capacity. Her appointment comes with multiple elections scheduled across Nigeria in the coming months.

Yakubu worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 resident electoral commissioners during his tenure. He thanked colleagues, stakeholders, civil society groups, and development partners who supported electoral processes under his watch.

The outgoing chairman praised National Youth Service Corps members, calling them “among the most educated and most patriotic and also most knowledgeable election officials I have worked with.”

Major Elections on the Horizon

Yakubu outlined several upcoming elections facing the new acting chairman. The Anambra State governorship election is scheduled for next month, followed by the FCT Area Council election in February 2026.

Gubernatorial polls are planned for Ekiti State in June 2026 and Osun in August 2026. “INEC has already begun preparations for the 2027 general elections,” Yakubu confirmed.

The Commission is waiting on a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. Yakubu stressed that INEC needs to clean up the voters’ register, review polling unit locations, and manage party primaries.

Technology Legacy and Unfinished Business

As part of his farewell, Yakubu presented two publications: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.

“Over the years, we achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications,” Yakubu said.

His tenure saw technologies for locating election facilities, virtual training systems, management platforms for political party finances, and the Election Monitoring and Support Centre.

He acknowledged persistent challenges. Insecurity, natural disasters like floods, and the need to update voting frameworks for internally displaced persons remain pressing concerns. “Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” he admitted.

From Academia to Electoral Leadership

Born in May 1962, Yakubu came to INEC from his role as Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund. Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him on October 21, 2015, following Senate confirmation. He took office on November 9, 2015, succeeding Professor Attahiru Jega.

In 2020, Yakubu was reappointed for a second five-year term, the first INEC chairman to serve two consecutive terms in Nigeria’s democratic era.

“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” Yakubu said. “All that remains at this point is for me to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy.”

With his handing-over notes signed and presented to Agbamuche-Mbu, Yakubu left the hall.

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