May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially taken over as the Acting Chairman of INEC, following the handover from outgoing Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave.
The handover was made during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
“After ten years of service and with only a few weeks left in my tenure, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman,” Yakubu stated.
He explained that his decision was guided by Section 306 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that the transition would allow authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman while maintaining institutional continuity.
Yakubu expressed gratitude to Nigerians, stakeholders, and INEC staff for their support throughout his tenure, saying he would “forever cherish” their contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. He also commended members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for their patriotism and dedication to election duties.
As part of his farewell, the outgoing INEC Chairman unveiled two publications documenting his decade-long leadership of the commission:
- Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025
- Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025
Yakubu confirmed that INEC has already begun preparations for the 2027 general elections while awaiting the passage of a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.
He outlined several upcoming polls under INEC’s supervision, including:
- Anambra Governorship Election – November 2025
- FCT Area Council Election – February 2026
- Ekiti Governorship Election – June 2026
- Osun Governorship Election – August 2026
Reflecting on his tenure, Yakubu highlighted technological reforms such as biometric voter registration, digital election monitoring, and the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) platform.
“We have made tremendous progress in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process, though more work still lies ahead,” he added.
May Agbamuche-Mbu, who now leads the Commission in an acting capacity, will oversee ongoing electoral preparations and ensure smooth operations until a substantive chairman is appointed.
Born in May 1962, Professor Mahmood Yakubu previously served as Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund before being appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2015. He was reappointed in 2020, making him the first person to serve two consecutive terms as INEC Chairman in Nigeria’s democratic history.
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