Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has handed over the leadership of the commission to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will now serve as acting national chairman.
Yakubu made the announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
He solicited the support of the commissioners and directors of the commission for Agbamuche, until the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Yakubu, who was appointed in 2015, spent two terms of five years each, in office.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to appoint Yakubu’s 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 office as the president.
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He completed his first term in office as the electoral body’s chairman in 2020 and was reappointed for a second tenure by Buhari.
Yakubu’s reappointment by Buhari made him the first person to serve as INEC chairman for two terms.
In his farewell remarks, Yakubu reflected on his 10-year stewardship, pointing to INEC’s digital transformation — from biometric voter registration and electronic result transmission to online nomination and monitoring systems.
“Together, we built a foundation for credible elections in Africa’s largest democracy,” he declared.
He acknowledged support from political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society, security agencies, the media, and especially corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whom he described as “the most patriotic election officials.”
The outgoing chairman also unveiled two publications capturing his tenure: “Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025” and “Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025,” now available on INEC’s website.