The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witnessed a significant, pre-planned leadership transition on Wednesday as Professor Mahmud Yakubu formally concluded his ten-year tenure, handing over administrative responsibilities to National Commissioner Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve in an acting capacity.
The procedural handover was conducted during the third regular quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja. Prof. Yakubu informed the gathering that, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), he had commenced his pre-retirement leave.
“Having been privileged to serve the Commission for 10 years, with only a few more weeks to serve, I have taken a decision and commenced the same as provided by Section 306, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution,” Prof. Yakubu stated. He explained that the move was to ensure a seamless transition, affording the appointing authorities adequate time to select a new substantive Chairman.
Following consultation with fellow National Commissioners, he announced that Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu would assume leadership as Acting Chairman. He expressed confidence in her ability to steward the Commission, noting she would “quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most democratically and logistically complex environment.”
Prof. Yakubu’s decade at the helm, beginning in 2015, was a period of substantial modernisation for INEC. His farewell address served as a comprehensive account of the Commission’s evolution, highlighting the consolidation of a biometric register of voters and the widespread digitisation of processes, from candidate nomination and accreditation of observers to the management of results.
To document this era, he presented two publications: Election Management in Nigeria 2015 to 2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015 to 2025, which have been uploaded to the INEC website for public access.
Looking ahead, he outlined a critical roadmap for the Commission, which includes the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), where 6.8 million Nigerians have begun online pre-registration and 1.2 million have completed in-person registration. Other immediate tasks involve cleaning up the voters’ register, reviewing polling unit locations, and preparing for a series of off-cycle elections in Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory.
In her acceptance remarks, the new Acting Chairman, Barr. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed humility and honour at the appointment. She paid tribute to Prof. Yakubu’s significant contributions and assured the commission of continuity.
“We assure you that the commission will do our very best to maintain and uphold the standards you have set. We will continue from where you stopped,” Agbamuche-Mbu stated. She pledged to “uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication, and in unity” with commissioners, directors, staff, and stakeholders.
The formal handover prompted a deeply emotional response from the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony. Visibly moved, she struggled to articulate her feelings, repeatedly stating, “I stand before you today and feel with emotion… I want to say thank you to the chairman for what he has done.” Her brief but powerful remarks laid bare the profound respect and camaraderie that defined the working environment under Prof. Yakubu’s leadership.
The handover was met with warm and emotional farewells from colleagues. Prof. Sam Egwu, a REC, described Yakubu as “one of the most brilliant Nigerians,” praising his unparalleled knowledge of the country’s electoral landscape and his effective leadership.
Prof. Yakubu concluded by extending his profound gratitude to all INEC staff, security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), development partners, and the Nigerian people. “I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encourage rather than discourage us to persevere,” he said.
The event culminated with the signing of the official handing-over notes and a farewell photograph, marking the conclusion of a defining chapter in INEC’s history and the beginning of a new one under acting leadership.
