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The search for the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced as Mahmmod Yakubu, the incumbent, has resigned.
Yakubu, whose tenure expired on December 9, 2025, announced his departure during Tuesday’s meeting of INEC with states’ Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Consequently, the longest-serving National Commissioner in the commission, May Agbamuche-Mbu, assumed the position of acting chairman of INEC, pending the appointment of a substantive head of the electoral body.
LEADERSHIP reports that Yakubu, the longest-serving chairman of the electoral body, was first appointed on November 9, 2015, for a five-year term of office and was reappointed on November 9, 2020, by the then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
After Senate confirmation, he assumed duty for a second five-year term on December 9, 2020, becoming the first chairman of the National Election Management Body in Nigeria to serve for two consecutive terms.
With his exit, the appointing authority—the presidency—would embark on the search for his replacement, who would conduct the 2027 general elections.
There are permutations that, hence, all the geopolitical zones have held the office except the South West and North Central, and the new INEC chairman is likely to emerge from any of the regions.
Announcing his exit, Yakubu said he made the decision and conveyed it as provided by Sections 306 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“Accordingly, and knowing the enormity of the challenges ahead, having been privileged to serve the Commission for ten years with only a few more weeks to serve, I have made a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Sec 306 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“In the interim, I am handing it over to one of the most senior National Commissioners by the date of appointment. Following consultation with other National Commissioners, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman of the Commission.
“I hope this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new Chairman. It will also enable the new Chairman to settle down quickly to conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex elections,” he said.
Yakubu expressed profound appreciation to the members of the Commission and RECs for their excellent working relations.
“Since 2015, I have worked with 24 National Commissioners and 67 RECs, as well as with the staff of the Commission. Those involved in elections or vastly knowledgeable about election management understand what the conduct of elections entails. I will forever cherish the support of successive Secretaries and staff of the Commission nationwide.
“Together, we innovated and managed the Commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down. I also enjoyed tremendous support and goodwill from members of the National Assembly, particularly successive Chairmen and Members of the Committees on Electoral Matters.
“So too from political parties, the National Peace Committee under our respected former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, friends from civil society, the media and the labour unions. I also appreciate the development partners’ support. The security agencies have exceptionally secured the environment, without which elections would be impossible in some locations.
“I also thank my colleagues in the university system who played critical roles in the various stages of elections. I must also appreciate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), without whose participation, the management of elections at the polling unit level would be a nightmare. Young Nigerians serving in the NYSC are among the most educated, patriotic, and knowledgeable election officials I have worked with.
“I also thank my family for their patience and support throughout the last ten years. Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments and criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere.
“Today, we are presenting two books to the public. The first, entitled Election Management in Nigeria, 2015-2025, is a compendium of all the activities carried out in the last ten years under my watch.
“The second book, Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015 – 2025, more specifically dwells on the new technologies introduced by the Commission in the last decade. The two publications have already been uploaded to our website for public access,” the professor of history added.
Giving a brief account of his stewardship, Yakubu said, “Over the years, we have achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications.
“These include the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation agents by political parties, accreditation of national and international observers and the media for elections, voter accreditation and result management.
“In addition, with the support of development partners, we have introduced various technologies to improve diverse aspects of election management such as easy location of election facilities, management of collation and returning officers, virtual training of electoral staff, management of political parties finances and audits, as well as the overall monitoring of elections using our Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC). “We have made tremendous progress, but much more needs to be done.”
The Acting INEC chairman
Born in Kano State but originally from Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu attended St. Louis Secondary School, Kano. She obtained her LLB in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year, in 1985. Agbamuche-Mbu proceeded to the United Kingdom, where she qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales after attending the College of Law, London.
She also earned an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London. She completed postgraduate programmes in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.
A seasoned legal practitioner with over 30 years of experience, Agbamuche-Mbu has provided advisory services to clients across both private and public sectors. Her professional focus includes Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and she is a respected member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK-Nigeria Branch), where she once served as Secretary.
Agbamuche-Mbu was appointed to the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC) between 2010 and 2011, where she served as the sole solicitor responsible for reviewing key federal projects across Nigeria.
In 2016, she was appointed to a Ministerial Committee that developed the Road Map for the Solid Minerals Sector, a blueprint that contributed to reform efforts in that industry.
She joined INEC as a National Commissioner representing the South-South Zone, overseeing electoral activities in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Edo States. Agbamuche-Mbu was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 and reappointed in 2022, making her one of the longest-serving members of the Commission.
Tinubu Accepts Yakubu’s Exit As INEC Chair, Bestows CON Honour
President Bola Tinubu has accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the expiration of his second term in office.
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.
In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the commission’s affairs until the process of appointing a successor is completed.
In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as commission chairman since 2015.
