May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially assumed the role of Acting Chairman. This follows the handover of duties from the outgoing INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave.
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja. It was marked by a key stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in attendance, where the transition was formally acknowledged.
“It is an honour to step into this position at such a critical time for our nation’s electoral process,” Agbamuche-Mbu stated in her address to the gathering. “I look forward to continuing the work done by my predecessor to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has led INEC since 2015, will be stepping down after years of service. Yakubu’s leadership has been pivotal in overseeing multiple general elections, including the controversial 2019 and 2023 elections, where issues surrounding transparency and credibility were a focal point.
Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment is a crucial one, as the INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections, and her leadership is expected to steer the commission through what will likely be a highly scrutinised electoral cycle.
