ABUJA (BN24)— Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially handed over the leadership of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been appointed as the Acting National Chairman of the commission. The transition took place during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Agbamuche-Mbu, the longest-serving National Commissioner within INEC, assumed the new role amid high expectations to steer the commission through its ongoing responsibilities. She currently chairs the INEC Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC), positioning her as a seasoned and influential figure within the electoral body.
Professor Yakubu, whose second and final five-year term is set to expire in November 2025, urged the commission’s commissioners and directors to fully support Agbamuche-Mbu in her interim leadership role until a substantive chairman is appointed. The outgoing chairman emphasized that his departure complies with the constitutional term limits, having completed his first term in November 2020 before being reappointed for a second tenure by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
In an emotionally charged farewell address, Yakubu expressed profound gratitude to INEC staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners for their dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts during his leadership. His tenure saw significant strides in Nigeria’s electoral processes, underscoring the critical role the commission plays in the country’s democracy.
As May Agbamuche-Mbu steps into the role of Acting Chairman, stakeholders and observers across Nigeria are watching closely, anticipating how she will navigate the challenges ahead, especially as the commission prepares for upcoming elections and maintains the integrity of the nation’s electoral system.
