After a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has stepped down, officially handing over to national commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as acting chairman pending the appointment of a substantive replacement.
Yakubu, who announced his decision during INEC’s consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, said stepping aside was necessary to allow a smooth transition and help his successor settle quickly into the commission’s demanding work.
“I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution,” he said.
“I hope this will give the appointing authorities time to name a new chairman, and enable that person to immediately confront the challenges of managing elections in Africa’s most complex democracy.”
The outgoing chairman thanked commissioners, RECs, staff, and stakeholders for their support through what he described as “ten years of innovation, strain, and progress.”
He highlighted INEC’s digital transformation, including biometric voter registration, e-platforms for candidate nominations, observer accreditation, and electronic result management.
Yakubu’s departure comes as the commission gears up for several major polls — the Anambra governorship election in November, the FCT council election, and the Ekiti and Osun polls in 2026 — as well as early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In her brief remarks, Acting Chairman May Agbamuche-Mbu praised Yakubu’s record, promising to “uphold the integrity of the commission and sustain the standards he set.”
Contest for INEC Chairman Replacement Heats Up
Meanwhile, it’s been reported that President Bola Tinubu’s shortlist for the new INEC chairman has been narrowed to three names: Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Professor Lai Olurode.
Amupitan — a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos — is reportedly the leading contender and could be unveiled after the National Council of State meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.
Justice Liman, a retired Appeal Court judge from Nasarawa State, and Professor Olurode, a former INEC national commissioner and sociologist from the University of Lagos, are also being considered.
Yakubu’s resignation reportedly followed months of consultation, with sources revealing that he had planned to leave earlier but stayed on to ensure a seamless handover.
Former INEC Director Nick Dazang said the transition would not disrupt the commission’s work. “INEC is a continuum,” he noted. “There will be no challenge for the commission to form a quorum and continue its mandate.”
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