INEC LEADERSHIP – Mahmood Yakubu Steps Down After Two-Term Tenure

INEC Leadership – Mahmood Yakubu Steps Down After Two-Term Tenure

In a significant transition for Nigeria’s electoral landscape, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially stepped down as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), concluding a decade-long tenure marked by sweeping reforms and complex challenges.

His departure, announced during a quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on October 7, 2025, comes as his constitutionally mandated second five-year term nears its end in November.

Yakubu’s exit was not abrupt but a planned transition in line with Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for pre-exit leave to ensure continuity and stability within public institutions. He had previously completed his first term in November 2020 and was reappointed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term, which has now run its full course.

In his farewell remarks, Yakubu expressed deep gratitude to INEC staff, political stakeholders, civil society groups, and the media for their support throughout his tenure. He reflected on the commission’s evolution, highlighting key innovations such as biometric voter registration, electronic result transmission, and the digitization of candidate nomination and election monitoring systems.

Under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC conducted two general elections (2019 and 2023) and numerous off-cycle governorship elections. His administration introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, both of which were intended to enhance transparency and credibility.

However, the 2023 elections drew mixed reactions, with some observers questioning the reliability of result transmission and the overall conduct of the polls.

Following Yakubu’s resignation, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner and chair of INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee, has assumed the role of Acting Chairman.

A seasoned legal practitioner and long-serving member of the commission, Agbamuche-Mbu is expected to steer INEC through upcoming elections, including the Anambra governorship poll next month, the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections later that year.

President Bola Tinubu acknowledged Yakubu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and conferred upon him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve and emphasized the importance of institutional continuity as INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Yakubu’s academic pedigree is notable. Born in Bauchi State, he earned a First-Class degree in History from the University of Sokoto, followed by a Master’s in International Relations from Cambridge and a Doctorate in Nigerian History from Oxford. His tenure at INEC will be remembered for its ambitious modernization efforts and the enduring debates over electoral integrity in Nigeria.