Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s departure as INEC chairman and pledges transparent selection of a credible successor after Council of State meeting
Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s departure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, marking the end of a transformative but complex decade in Nigeria’s electoral evolution.
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On Tuesday, Professor Mahmood Yakubu officially handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner, who will serve as acting INEC chair.
This transition follows the expiration of Yakubu’s second and final term, making him the first INEC boss to complete two full tenures.
President Bola Tinubu, in a formal statement, expressed deep gratitude for Yakubu’s service and conferred upon him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
As Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s departure, attention now turns to the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where the President will present a list of nominees for the top electoral post. The announcement of a substantive successor is expected shortly after.
Yakubu’s decade-long stewardship witnessed significant innovations, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the real-time Results Viewing Portal (IReV), both of which redefined electoral transparency in Nigeria.
While widely praised for modernising election procedures, his tenure was not without criticism. The 2023 general elections, though largely peaceful, were marred by logistical issues, technical glitches, and persistent claims of irregularities. Nonetheless, Tinubu described Yakubu’s leadership as “instrumental in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.”
At his handover, Yakubu thanked Nigerians for their support and criticism, saying it strengthened his resolve. “All that remains at this point is for me to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy,” he said.
The acting INEC chair, Agbamuche-Mbu, is a respected legal expert with decades of experience in electoral and public governance.
Her appointment is seen as a steadying measure until the Council of State advises on a permanent replacement.
Legal experts have offered mixed reactions to the appointment process. While some argue for broader reforms to remove presidential influence in selecting an INEC chair, others, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adedayo Adedeji, maintain that the current system, with Senate oversight, provides adequate checks and balances—if applied rigorously.
Calls for electoral reform are also intensifying in the National Assembly. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reiterated the House’s commitment to passing critical amendments ahead of the 2027 elections.
He highlighted priorities including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, stronger electronic result transmission laws, and improved inclusion for vulnerable groups.
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As Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s departure, Nigerians await not just a new INEC leader, but a renewed commitment to credible elections and enduring democratic reforms.
