Tinubu To Announce New INEC Chair After Council Meeting

President Bola Tinubu is set to announce a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission this week following the end of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure.

Yakubu formally handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner, who will serve in acting capacity until a substantive chairman is appointed.

Yakubu’s departure marks the close of a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body, having overseen the 2019 and 2023 general elections. In recognition of his service, President Tinubu conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.

The President is expected to present a list of nominees for Yakubu’s successor at the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday. The meeting will include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, and other council members who will advise the President before the final appointment.

According to presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu thanked the outgoing INEC boss for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. He said the President appreciated Yakubu’s role in conducting elections widely regarded as transparent during his tenure.

Yakubu, who first took office in November 2015 and was reappointed in 2020, introduced several electoral innovations, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal. These reforms aimed to enhance transparency and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Under his leadership, INEC expanded polling units, improved access for voters with disabilities, and created systems for continuous voter registration. The commission also established an Election Monitoring and Support Centre to track real-time election data.

Despite these achievements, Yakubu’s tenure faced criticism over logistical delays, technical glitches, and claims of bias during the 2023 elections. Nonetheless, he maintained that INEC operated within the law and remained independent despite political pressure.

Speaking at his handover ceremony in Abuja, Yakubu said his decision to step aside was guided by the constitution and aimed at ensuring a smooth transition. He thanked INEC staff, political parties, civil society organisations, and Nigerians for their support over the years.

Yakubu said the commission had already begun preparations for the 2027 general elections, including cleaning up the voter register, reviewing polling unit locations, and strengthening the management of party primaries. He also listed upcoming polls such as the Anambra governorship election next month and the FCT Area Council election in February 2026.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who now leads the commission in acting capacity, is a veteran lawyer with over three decades of experience in legal and public service. She joined INEC in 2016 and has been involved in several electoral reforms and dispute resolution processes.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has pledged to accelerate electoral and constitutional reforms ahead of 2027. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said the chamber would prioritise amendments to improve transparency in elections, promote inclusion, and enhance national security through legislative action.

He urged lawmakers to complete pending constitutional votes before the end of the year and stressed that upcoming electoral reforms must make elections less costly, more accessible, and more credible.

As Nigeria counts down to the next general elections, attention now turns to President Tinubu’s choice of the next INEC chairman — a decision that could shape the country’s democratic direction in the years ahead.