By: Adeosun Ewatomi
That Professor Mahmood Yakubu has resigned as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now an established fact .He officially stepped down on Tuesday, October 9, 2025, and handed over leadership to National Commissioner, Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the acting Chairman of the Commission.
Meanwhile, Prof. Yakubu has publicly disclosed the reasons behind his decision to step down from the Commission.
He said: “I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”
“In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners by date of appointment.” Following consultation with other national commissioners, Ms May Agbamuchembu will serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the commission.”
“I hope that this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman.”
“It will also enable the new chairman to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment.”
“Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down.”Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere.”
“The bill is currently before the National Assembly. It is expected that electoral reforms contained in the new act will necessitate further review of our regulations and guidelines, as well as the manuals for elections.”
“Beyond these reviews, the commission needs to further clean up the voters’ register, review the locations of some of the polling units, and allotment of voters to them.”