Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a veteran legal practitioner, has assumed the role of acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Agbamuche-Mbu replaced Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure as INEC chairman on Tuesday.

Yakubu announced his decision during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday. His final five-year term is set to expire in November 2025.

Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC’s new acting chairman, also chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC) and will oversee the Commission’s operations until a substantive chairman is appointed.

Yakubu had previously completed his first term in November 2020, stepped down, and was later renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a second term.

In a farewell address, the outgoing chairman thanked INEC staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism throughout his tenure.

He described his time at the Commission as a period of significant challenges and accomplishments, reflecting on the collective effort required to manage Nigeria’s complex electoral process.