Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has initiated a handover of responsibilities to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the Acting Chair of the commission.
Yakubu’s decision to step aside comes about a month before his term was officially due to end. He reportedly informed his successor of the transition prior to meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), where he publicly announced his early departure.
The change of leadership took place during a brief ceremony at INEC headquarters in Abuja, in the presence of RECs and senior commission officials.
May Agbamuche-Mbu assumes the acting role in line with INEC’s internal succession protocol, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Yakubu had first been appointed INEC chairman in late 2015, and his second term commenced following a reappointment in 2020. His tenure has overseen multiple general and off-cycle elections. During the transition, President Bola Tinubu accepted Yakubu’s exit, conferred a national honour upon him, and directed that May Agbamuche-Mbu be appointed as acting chair until a new substantive head is nominated.
Five Facts About May Agbamuche-Mbu
-
She is a seasoned legal practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in law, public service, and dispute resolution.
-
Though she was born in Kano, she hails from Delta State, reflecting both northern and southern roots in Nigeria.
-
She formerly served as editor of THISDAY LAWYER, where she wrote a column of 120 “LEGAL EAGLE” editorials from 2014 to 2016.
-
She is a certified arbitrator and has held the position of secretary in the Nigerian branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
-
Her personal life remains largely private; she uses a hyphenated surname, indicating a marital connection, but details are not public.
