Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially retired after serving two consecutive five-year terms. He handed over leadership to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the acting national chairman until a substantive appointment is made.
Yakubu announced his retirement on Tuesday during a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) at INEC headquarters in Abuja. He called on commissioners and directors to support Agbamuche in her new role.
Appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Yakubu was the first INEC chairman to serve two terms. Under his decade-long leadership, INEC saw significant digital advancements, including biometric voter registration, electronic result transmission, and online nomination and monitoring systems.
Yakubu expressed gratitude to political parties, security agencies, civil society, the media, and especially the National Youth Service Corps members, whom he described as the “most patriotic election officials.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to nominate a permanent successor, subject to Senate confirmation.
