Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Bows Out After 10 years As INEC Chairman… Hands Over to May Agbamuche-Mbu
Oru Leonard
After completing his second and final five-year term, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has stepped down as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The most senior National Commissioner, Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal practitioner, has taken over the commission in an acting capacity.
As memorium, he presented two publications: Election Management in Nigeria 2015 to 2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015 to 2025, which have been uploaded to the INEC website for public access.
Prof Yakubu outlined a critical roadmap for the Commission, which includes the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), where 6.8 million Nigerians have begun online pre-registration and 1.2 million have completed in-person registration. Other immediate tasks involve cleaning up the voters’ register, reviewing polling unit locations, and preparing for a series of off-cycle elections in Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Prof. Yakubu concluded by extending his profound gratitude to all INEC staff, security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), development partners, and the Nigerian people. “I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encourage rather than discourage us to persevere,” he said.
In her acceptance remarks, the new Acting Chairman, Barr. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed humility and honour at the appointment. She paid tribute to Prof. Yakubu’s significant contributions and assured the commission of continuity.
“We assure you that the commission will do our very best to maintain and uphold the standards you have set. We will continue from where you stopped,” Agbamuche-Mbu stated. She pledged to “uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication, and in unity” with commissioners, directors, staff, and stakeholders.
In an atmosphere of deep emotions from the staff and stakeholders arround, the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony thanked the out gone Chairman for his contributions and guidance towards the development of our electoral process.
Speaking fir the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Prof. Sam Egwu described Yakubu as one of the most brilliant Nigerians, praising his unparalleled knowledge of the country’s electoral landscape and his effective leadership.
During his tenure, Prof. Yakubu expressed gratitude to the staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners for their dedication and hard work.
Mahmood had previously stepped down at the end of his first term in November 2020 before being renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for his second term.
About May Agbamuche-Mbu
Born in the North to a Southern Nigerian State family, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the newly appointed Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has a multicultural background that shaped her broad national outlook and commitment to unity.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), degree from Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), a Master’s degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, and postgraduate qualifications in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.
With over 30 years of experience, Agbamuche-Mbu has advised clients across the public and private sectors. She was the Managing Partner at Norfolk Partners, a Lagos-based law firm, and served on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee and the Ministerial Committee for the Solid Minerals Sector.
May Agbamuche-Mbu was appointed as a National Commissioner of INEC and has been serving since 2016. She has contributed to legal and policy reforms within the commission. Her elevation to Acting Chairman follows years of service dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
She is a certified arbitrator and former Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria). As editor of THISDAY LAWYER, she wrote over 120 editions of her widely read “Legal Eagle” column, influencing public discourse on law, governance, and policy.
