…hands over to Agbamuche-Mbu
By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has officially bowed out after completing his second and final term as head of Nigeria’s electoral body.
Appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, Prof. Yakubu is the first INEC Chairman to serve two full terms since the Commission’s establishment. During his tenure, Nigeria witnessed notable electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both designed to improve transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Speaking during a brief handover ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu expressed appreciation to Nigerians, electoral stakeholders, and INEC staff for their support throughout his tenure. He described his time in office as one of “immense learning, service, and resilience.”
“I am leaving with a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that we have made substantial progress in strengthening the electoral process in Nigeria,” he said.
In the interim, National Commissioner
May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve as Acting National Chairman.
Agbamuche-Mbu, the oldest-serving National Commissioner by date of appointment, is stepping into the top role at a critical time for Nigeria’s electoral system, as the commission faces mounting pressure to implement deep reforms and restore public trust ahead of future elections.
