•Urges support for acting chair, Agbamuche-Mbu
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Following the conclusion of two terms as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday, handed over to Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, to steer affairs of the commission as the Acting National Chairman.
Agbamuche-Mbu, is the longest serving National Commissioner in INEC.
Yakubu, handed over during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja.
He solicited the support of the commissioners and directors of the commission for Agbamuche-Mbu, pending a substantive chairman’s appointment.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that Yakubu, who assumed office in November 2015 by the President Muhammad Buhari as the 14th Chairman of INEC completed his first five years tenure in 2020 and began a second and final term the same year after his reappointment by Buhari.
He will be remembered for nearly a decade of stewardship characterised by significant electoral reforms, introduction of innovative technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and IReV, as well as deepened engagements with stakeholders with a view to improve the conduct of elections among other things.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the conclusion of of Yakubu’s tenure as chairman of the office the nation’s electoral body.
Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the expressed profound appreciation to Yakubu for his “distinguished service to the nation” and for his “notable contributions toward strengthening Nigeria’s democracy”.
The President particularly lauded Yakubu’s commitment to credible electoral processes, noting that his leadership helped shape the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections nationwide.
In recognition of his outstanding service and dedication, the President conferred on Professor Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON.
Subsequently, Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and for the opportunity to serve the Nigerian people as chairman of INEC.
