JUST IN: New INEC Acting Chairman Assumes Office, as Yakubu bows out

Following the completion of two tenures, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, May Agbamuche-Mbu, will take over as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

May Agbamuche is the oldest serving national commissioner in the electoral body, and has emerged as the acting national chairman.

This followed the formal handover of duties by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on a terminal leave.

The announcement was made by Yakubu, on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.

The outgoing Commissioner solicited the support of the commissioners and directors of the commission for Ms Agbamuche up until the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Mr Yakubu is leaving office as INEC chairman, having completed his two-term tenure of 10 years.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to appoint Mr Yakubu’s successor soon, subject to a Senate confirmation.

He completed his first term in office as the electoral body’s chairman in 2020 and was reappointed for a second tenure by Mr Buhari.

Mr Yakubu’s reappointment by Mr Buhari made him the first person to serve as INEC chairman for two terms.

Mr Yakubu was first appointed the INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the activities of the electoral umpire in November 2015, six months after he assumed office as the president.