After a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday announced his resignation, marking the end of an era defined by sweeping electoral reforms and digital innovations.
Yakubu, who had led the Commission since 2015, formally stepped down during INEC’s quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja. Describing the gathering as his last as chairman, he said his decision to resign was guided by Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure a smooth transition as the Commission prepares for a busy electoral cycle.
By consensus of the National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, has been appointed to take over in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In his farewell remarks, Yakubu reflected on his ten-year stewardship, highlighting INEC’s transformation under his leadership—from biometric voter registration and electronic result transmission to online nomination and monitoring systems.
He said the Commission had built a foundation for credible elections in Africa’s largest democracy and expressed appreciation to political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society groups, security agencies, the media, and particularly corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whom he described as the most patriotic election officials.
Yakubu also unveiled two publications chronicling his tenure: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025, both now available on the INEC website.
His resignation comes ahead of crucial polls—the Anambra governorship election next month, the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls later in the year. He revealed that preparations for the 2027 general elections have already commenced.
Concluding his address, Yakubu invited commissioners for a farewell photograph before officially handing over to Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu.