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By David Odama
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has resigned as the Commission chairman, after ten years in office.
Yakubu who made the declaration Tuesday during the commission’s quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, described the announcement as his final session as chairman.
The INEC boss , who has led the electoral body since 2015, said his decision to step down was in line with Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, aimed at ensuring a smooth leadership transition as INEC enters a busy election period.
As a result of his resignation, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner, was selected by consensus to take over as Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a new substantive head.
During his farewell remarks, Yakubu looked back on his decade of service, noting that the commission had undergone major digital reforms during his tenure.
INEC introduced innovations such as biometric voter registration, electronic result transmission, and online systems for candidate nomination and election monitoring.
He expressed gratitude to political parties, civil society groups, security agencies, the media, and members of the National Youth Service Corps for their support throughout his leadership.
Yakubu also presented two books that capture his years in office; Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025 both available on the commission’s website.
His departure comes as INEC prepares for key elections, including the Anambra governorship poll next month, the FCT Area Council election in February 2026, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections later that year.
Preparations for the 2027 general elections are already underway.
Yakubu ended the session with a farewell photograph alongside national commissioners before officially handing over to Agbamuche-Mbu.
