Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu has officially taken over as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who proceeded on terminal leave on Tuesday.

Her appointment was confirmed during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where Yakubu formally handed over responsibilities after nearly a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body.

Agbamuche-Mbu, one of INEC’s most senior national commissioners by date of appointment, currently heads the commission’s Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee. She will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman by President Bola Tinubu.

In his farewell address, Yakubu cited Section 306 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal basis for stepping down ahead of the end of his second term, noting that the move would give ample time for a smooth leadership transition.

“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years... I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners,” Yakubu said.

He expressed gratitude to INEC staff, civil society organisations, development partners, and Nigerians at large for their support throughout his tenure, and particularly praised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for their role in election administration.

Yakubu also presented two publications chronicling INEC’s work under his leadership: Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.

“All that remains at this point is for me to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy,” he concluded.

Agbamuche-Mbu now leads INEC at a crucial period, with preparations for upcoming off-cycle elections and the 2027 general election cycle already in motion.