INEC Chairman Yakubu Hands Over to Agbamuche-Mbu as Tenure Ends

By Angel Ike

Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officially stepped down after his tenure ended on December 9, 2025.

He announced his departure during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Yakubu handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the longest-serving National Commissioner, who now serves as acting chairman pending the appointment of a new substantive INEC head.

Citing Section 306 (1) and (2) of the Nigerian Constitution, Yakubu expressed confidence that the transition will allow the new chairman time to prepare for upcoming elections in Africa’s most demographically complex electoral landscape.

Reflecting on his decade of service, Yakubu thanked commissioners, electoral staff, political parties, civil society, security agencies, and the National Youth Service Corps for their support.

He highlighted key achievements, including innovations in biometric voter registration and digital election management platforms developed over his tenure.

Yakubu also announced the launch of two books documenting INEC’s work and technological advancements from 2015 to 2025, available on the commission’s website.

While acknowledging significant progress, he emphasised that more work remains to advance Nigeria’s electoral processes.