Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially handed over leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as Acting National Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
The handover took place on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, marking the end of Yakubu’s 10-year tenure as head of Nigeria’s electoral body.
Agbamuche Becomes Acting INEC Chairman
May Agbamuche, the oldest serving National Commissioner at INEC, now assumes interim leadership of the commission. Professor Yakubu urged full cooperation from commissioners and directors during the transition period.
“I appeal to you all to support the Acting Chairman, Mrs. May Agbamuche, as she leads the commission until a new substantive chairman is appointed,” Yakubu said.
End of an Era: Yakubu’s 10-Year Legacy
Professor Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the 14th INEC Chairman. He made history in 2020 when he was reappointed for a second term, making him the first person to serve two terms as INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment.
Under his leadership, INEC conducted two general elections—in 2019 and 2023—along with numerous off-cycle polls and supplementary elections across Nigeria.
Yakubu succeeded Professor Attahiru Jega and is widely credited with institutional reforms and technological innovations, such as the introduction of the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
