•As Yakubu steps down after two terms
•Tinubu accepts Yakubu’s exit, bestows national honour on him
By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally stepped down as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after ten years in the saddle.
Following his stepping down, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal practitioner and National Commissioner for INEC, has taken over the affairs of the Commission in an Acting capacity. Mrs Agbamuche-Mbualso chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSCCC).
Professor Yakubu made the announcement during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu has concluded his tenure as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having served for two terms.
The context of his departure is his constitutional term limit; he had previously stepped down at the end of his first term in November 2020 before being renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for his second term.
In an emotionally charged speech, the outgoing Chairman expressed his profound gratitude, thanking the staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners for their dedication, commitment, and hard work throughout his time leading the electoral body.
His words, “Over the years, we achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications.
“These include the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation agents by political parties, accreditation of national and international observers and the media for elections, voter accreditation and result management.
“In addition, with the support of development partners, we have introduced various technologies to improve diverse aspects of election management such as easy location of election facilities, management of collation and returning officers, virtual training of electoral staff, management of political parties finances and audits, as well as the overall monitoring of elections using our Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).
“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done.
“Accordingly, and knowing the enormity of the challenges ahead having been privileged to serve the Commission for ten years with only a few more weeks to serve, I have taken a decision and conveyed same as provided by Sec. 306 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as mended).
“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, Mrs. 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 settle down quickly to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex elections”, Yakubu said.
The outgone INEC Chairman had earlier served as the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Fund before being named as head of the electoral body.
Before his appointment as the INEC
Yakubu was born in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. He completed his primary and secondary school education at Kobi Primary School and Government Teachers College, Toro, respectively.
He proceeded to the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University), where he obtained a First-Class degree in History.
Yakubu had his Master’s degree in International Relations in 1987 from Wolfson College, Cambridge, and Doctorate degree in Nigerian History from the University of Oxford in 1991.
He was offered scholarship by the Bauchi State Government to study at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
Yakubu was the recipient of the Overseas Research Scholarship, and he also won the Commonwealth Scholarship from the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
