By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has formally bowed out of office after completing his second and final term.
Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, served two consecutive five-year terms as head of the nation’s electoral body.
At a brief handover ceremony held on Tuesday, he transferred leadership of the commission to National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
In his farewell remarks, Professor Yakubu thanked the staff of the commission for their support during his tenure and urged them to extend the same cooperation to the Acting Chairman to ensure a smooth transition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce a new INEC Chairman in the coming days, with the matter reportedly featuring on the agenda of the forthcoming Council of State meeting scheduled for later this week.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has proposed the creation of an independent body to oversee the appointment of the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and the Secretary of the Commission.
The proposal, presented by IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, came during a consultative meeting between political party leaders and the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review held on Monday at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Abuja.
Dr. Dantalle suggested the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) comprising representatives of all registered political parties, civil society organisations, the National Judicial Council, and members of the National Assembly drawn from both majority and minority caucuses.
He said the initiative would promote inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in the process of selecting the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral commission.
