Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, officially handed over leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who now assumes office as Acting Chairman.
The brief handover ceremony took place at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, marking the end of Yakubu’s tenure after serving two five-year terms as INEC Chairman since 2015.
Speaking during the event, Yakubu expressed gratitude to INEC staff and stakeholders for their support throughout his administration and urged them to extend the same cooperation to Agbamuche-Mbu.
“I thank all members of the commission for their dedication and professionalism. I urge you to give the same level of loyalty and support to the Acting Chairman to ensure continuity and institutional stability,” he said.
Agbamuche-Mbu, who represents Delta State and is the most senior National Commissioner by length of service, will oversee the affairs of the commission pending the appointment and confirmation of a substantive chairman by the federal government.
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She assumes leadership at a crucial time, as the electoral body continues preparations for several off-cycle governorship elections and ongoing electoral reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Yakubu’s departure concludes a decade-long tenure characterized by major electoral milestones, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic result transmission, and other innovations that have shaped Nigeria’s election management framework.
The transition signals continuity in INEC’s leadership and operations while the process of appointing a new substantive chairman is underway.