From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was on Tuesday stepped down and handing over the affairs of the Commission to the National Commissioner, Mrs.
May Agbamuche-Abu to serve as Acting Chairman of the Commission pending the appointment of the substantive successor.
Mrs.
May Agbamuche-Abu is a seasonal Legal Practitioner and a National Commissioner of the Commission. She is also a Chair of the Commission’s Legal Service, Clearance and Compliant Committee(LSCCC).
The immediate past Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu announced his decision of stepping down during the third regular quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the INEC headquarters held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu also recalled his stepped down during his first tenure in office from 2015 to November 2020 before being renominated by the Senate to serve the Commission for second term.
Citing Section 306 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), saying that the decision was formally communicated as required by law, noting that the transition would afford the appointing authorities sufficient time to name a new Chairman ahead of critical upcoming elections
“Knowing the enormity of the challenges ahead and having been privileged to serve the Commission for ten years with only a few more weeks to serve, I have taken a decision and conveyed same as provided by the Constitution.
In the interim, iam handling over to the most Senior National Commissioners by date of appointment, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity,” he said.
Professor Mahmood while highlighting to some of the major achievements recorded during his tenure including the consolidation of the biometric voter register, digitization of key election processes, the introduction of new technologies for accreditation, result management, and monitoring through the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) among others.
He also noted that several manual processes have been replaced with digital platforms such as online nomination of candidates, accreditation of election observers, the media through the Commission’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal which he said to enhance the transparency of the elections.
The immediate past Chairman of INEC also used the occasion to present two publications chronicling his tenure:
Election Management in Nigeria, 2015–2025 — a compendium of the Commission’s activities over the past decade.
Innovations in Electoral Technology, 2015–2025 — detailing the technological advancements introduced during the same period.
Saying that both books have been uploaded to the Commission’s website for public access
“We have achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations. Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” he stated.
Professor Yakubu thanked members of the Commission, RECs, staff, security agencies, political parties, the National Peace Committee, development partners, civil societies, and the media for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
He also expressed his special gratitude to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing corps members as “among the most educated, patriotic, and knowledgeable election officials” he worked with.
He, however reaffirmed Commission’s ongoing preparations for several upcoming polls, including the Anambra Governorship election in November 2025, the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026, Ekiti in June 2026, and Osun in August 2026, as well as preliminary work for the 2027 general elections.
He also stressed the need for continued improvement of the voter register, review of polling unit allocations, management of party primaries, and logistics planning in light of security and environmental challenges.
“May God continue to bless our country and its democracy,” he said.
In her remarks, the Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Abu commended the immediate past Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for his leadership style and the contributions and achievements recorded during his tenure as the Chairman of the Commission.
“We acknowledged the significant contributions and achievements made by Professor Mahmood Yakubu during his tenure, in particular his hard work and dedication in serving our country meritoriously”. She said.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Abu while assuring that the Commission will continue to do its best to maintain the standards, innovation and dedication which Professor Mahmood has set for the credible election in the country, she also pledged to uphold the integrity of the Commission and work closely with the National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, the staff of the Commission and other stakeholders nationwide to sustain the progress and achievements the Commission has made over the years.
“I pledge to uphold the integrity of the Commission and work with atmost professionalism, dedication and unity to ensure the continued success and growth of INEC”. She assured.
Also in their tribute to the Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the representative of the RECs, Professor Sam Egwu and the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony commended the hardwork, dedication and efforts put in place to achieve the mandate of the Commission during his tenure as the Chairman of the Commission.
The handling over ceremony also closed with snapping of photography between the immediate past INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the National Commissioners of the Commission, Staff of the Commission, Security agencies, INEC Press Corps among others.