Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu has assumed duty as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Professor Yakubu Mahmood whose tenure elapsed as the Chairman of the Commission in a bried ceremony handed over Mrs. Agbamuche on Tuesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
At the hand-over ceremony witnessed by all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Prof. Mahmood thanked the staff of the commission for working seamlessly with him throughout his tenure.
Speaking at the ceremony the former INEC boss said:
“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years, with only a few weeks remaining in my tenure. I have made a decision.
“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, May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an 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.”
Reminiscing oh his 10-year tenure in the commission, while thanking the INEC staff, Mahmood said, “Since 2015, I have worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 resident electoral commissioners, so also to the staff of the Commission. Those involved in elections or vastly knowledgeable about election management understand the conduct of elections and what it entails. I will forever cherish the support of successive secretaries and staff of the Commission nationwide.”
“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere.”
Speaking on the challenges before the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections, Mahmood revealed that the commission has already started processes for the election. He said, “INEC has already begun preparations for the 2027 general elections” while awaiting the passage of “a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.”
Speaking on his term in the commission, Prof. Mahmood said, “Over the years, we achieved a lot in responding to challenges and monitoring our introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications.”
Speaking on the way forward, the outgone chairman said that “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. The management of party primaries is another major area of activity.”
“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,”
Taking his bow, Mahmood said, “It is now my pleasure to sign my official handing over notes and present the same to Agbamuche-Mbu. And from that point, I will take my exit.”
President Bola Tinubu who had earlier directed Prof Mahmood to proceed on terminal leave is expected to appoint a substantive Chairman for the electoral body as the important 2027 general elections draws near.
Several pro-democracy groups and an civil society organisations have called for radical changes in the procedure for the appointment of the Chairman of the electoral umpire.
