The outgoing chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has explained that his decision to leave was made to facilitate the appointment of a new chairman.
On Tuesday, Yakubu stepped down and handed over to a national commissioner, Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the acting Chairman of the commission.
He stated that his departure would allow the incoming chairman to swiftly settle into the role of managing elections and electoral activities.
Yakubu, who has been privileged to serve the commission for 10 years with only a few weeks left in his tenure, recognized the magnitude of the challenges ahead.
“I have made this decision and communicated it as outlined in Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“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, Ms. May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the commission.
“I hope this will provide the appointing authorities sufficient time to choose a new chairman.
“This will also enable the new chairman to adapt quickly to the responsibilities of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment,’’ he said.
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