Yakubu: May Agbamuche Takes Over as Acting INEC Chairman

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appointed May Agbamuche as its Acting National Chairman, following the temporary handover by the outgoing Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

The handover took place on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC headquarters.

Agbamuche, who is currently the longest-serving National Commissioner in the electoral body, will oversee the commission’s activities until a substantive chairman is appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who first assumed office as INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, handed over after nearly ten years of service at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body.

During the handover, Yakubu called on all commissioners, directors, and staff of the commission to support Agbamuche’s leadership.

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“I urge every one of you to extend your full cooperation and support to the Acting Chairman, May Agbamuche, as we ensure a seamless transition in leadership,” Yakubu said.

Yakubu was appointed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari and confirmed by the Senate on October 29, 2015, before being sworn in on November 9, 2015.

After completing his first five-year term, he was reappointed for a second and final term in 2020, which was confirmed by the Senate and formally resumed on December 1, 2020.

Yakubu is expected to officially conclude his two-term tenure in November 2025, bringing an end to a decade-long stewardship that oversaw two general elections — in 2019 and 2023.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu is set to name Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to reports, Amupitan’s appointment is expected to be formalised during the upcoming Council of State meeting scheduled for Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

Sources told Sahara Reporters that, barring any last-minute changes, Amupitan will replace Yakubu as the substantive INEC chairman once the latter’s tenure officially ends in November.

President Tinubu is said to have already concluded consultations and will use the Council of State platform to announce the new appointment, which will then be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

The appointment of an acting chairman marks the beginning of a transition phase in Nigeria’s electoral leadership, as stakeholders await Tinubu’s choice to lead the commission into the next cycle of reforms.

INEC has, in recent months, been engaged in post-election reviews, digital process strengthening, and voter data audits, following the 2023 general elections.

Political observers say the incoming leadership will face the challenge of improving public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and implementing reforms to enhance transparency, technology adoption, and logistics efficiency in future elections.