In the quiet corridors of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday morning, a moment of institutional transition quietly unfolded — one that may shape the future of Nigeria’s democracy in the years to come. Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the man who has presided over two successive general elections — 2019 and 2023 — formally handed over his duties as Chairman of the Commission to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner representing the South-South region, who will now steer the Commission in an acting capacity.
Although the handover was a procedural exercise, its timing and symbolism have sparked a wave of interpretation, reflection, and speculation within political and civil society circles. To the ordinary Nigerian, it may seem like another bureaucratic transition; but to those who follow the intricate workings of Nigeria’s electoral system, it signals the beginning of a new chapter in INEC’s history — and possibly, an early pointer to how the commission will navigate the stormy political waters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Quiet Exit, a Strategic Transition
The announcement, made during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), was simple but weighty. “Following my decision to proceed on terminal leave, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, being the most senior National Commissioner, will take over in an acting capacity,” Professor Yakubu said, according to officials who attended the meeting.
For an institution that has faced unprecedented scrutiny and criticism in recent years — from disputed election results to technological hitches with its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and Result Viewing Portal (IReV) — this transition could not have come at a more delicate time. The 2023 general elections, though hailed in some quarters as a step forward, left deep divisions and questions about transparency, trust, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Yakubu’s decision to proceed on terminal leave, insiders say, follows established civil service practice for public officers nearing the end of their tenure. But political observers note that the move also strategically positions the Commission to begin preparing for leadership renewal ahead of the 2027 elections. “It’s not just a procedural handover,” says a senior INEC official who spoke to DDM News under condition of anonymity. “It’s also a way of ensuring continuity while signalling to political stakeholders that a transition is underway.”
Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu?
For many Nigerians, May Agbamuche-Mbu may not be a household name. But within the legal and electoral circles, she is a respected figure with an impressive résumé. A lawyer by training and a former publisher of the Vanguard Allure magazine, Agbamuche-Mbu has served as an INEC National Commissioner since 2016, representing Delta, Edo, and Cross River States. Her tenure has been marked by quiet diligence rather than flamboyant activism — a quality that may work in her favour as she takes over the reins of the nation’s most sensitive electoral institution.
Born into a family with a strong legacy of public service, Agbamuche-Mbu is known for her meticulous attention to legal detail and her advocacy for gender inclusion in governance. She has consistently pushed for the participation of women in electoral administration, often emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the Commission itself.
Those who know her describe her as calm but firm, diplomatic yet uncompromising on integrity. “She is one of the few commissioners who can navigate the political landmines within and outside the Commission,” says Dr. Sunday Adebisi, an electoral governance researcher at the University of Lagos. “She understands both the legal framework and the political undercurrents that shape INEC’s work.”
Yakubu’s Legacy and the Shadows of Controversy
Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit marks the end of an era — one that began in 2015 when he succeeded Professor Attahiru Jega, the reform-minded chairman credited with introducing biometric voter registration and strengthening electoral credibility. Yakubu’s tenure, by contrast, has been a tale of both reform and controversy.
Under his leadership, INEC consolidated the use of technology, introducing the BVAS device to curb multiple voting and ensure real-time transmission of results. However, the Commission’s inability to fully deliver on its promise of transparent electronic result transmission during the 2023 presidential election drew fierce criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and segments of the international community.
Critics accused the Commission of complicity or incompetence after the IReV portal failed to upload presidential results in real-time — a failure that cast a shadow over what was expected to be Nigeria’s most transparent election yet. Although INEC later attributed the glitch to “technical issues,” the damage to public trust was severe.
Nonetheless, Yakubu also oversaw some of the most logistically complex elections in Nigerian history, deploying over one million ad hoc staff across 176,000 polling units and managing the largest electoral roll in Africa. His defenders argue that despite the controversies, he maintained the Commission’s independence in the face of immense political pressure. “You can question his decisions, but not his commitment,” says one senior INEC director. “Yakubu gave his best in an impossible environment.”
The Challenges Ahead for Agbamuche-Mbu
As Agbamuche-Mbu steps into the hot seat, she inherits not just an office but a storm of expectations, pressures, and institutional fatigue. Her immediate task, analysts say, will be to restore public confidence in INEC’s neutrality and operational efficiency.
The Commission is already under pressure to begin early preparations for the 2027 elections. There are calls from civil society and political parties for the overhaul of the voter register, the audit of BVAS devices, and a review of the 2023 election logistics failures. “The time between elections is shrinking, and the expectations are rising,” notes Ezenwa Nwagwu of the Partners for Electoral Reform. “Agbamuche-Mbu must start early if she wants to avoid the logistical nightmares that haunted her predecessor.”
Another critical challenge will be navigating political interference. INEC’s independence, though constitutionally guaranteed, has often been tested by executive influence and partisan manipulation. As acting chair, Agbamuche-Mbu will need to demonstrate firmness in defending the Commission’s autonomy — especially in the politically charged environment leading up to 2027.
Institutional Reforms on the Table
Within INEC itself, there are calls for internal restructuring. Several senior staff members are due for retirement, while others have been accused of inefficiency or partisanship. Agbamuche-Mbu is expected to conduct an internal audit of INEC’s departments, streamline operations, and strengthen coordination between headquarters and state offices.
There’s also the matter of digital infrastructure. The failure of the IReV system in 2023 exposed vulnerabilities in INEC’s ICT backbone. Cybersecurity experts have urged the Commission to invest in more resilient servers, better training for technical staff, and contingency plans to prevent disruptions. “Technology is not the problem — management of technology is,” says IT consultant Abdulrahman Yusuf. “INEC must learn from its mistakes and adopt a more proactive approach.”
In addition, electoral stakeholders are pushing for the implementation of the Electoral Offences Commission, a long-delayed institution meant to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes such as vote buying, result manipulation, and ballot snatching. Many believe Agbamuche-Mbu’s legal background could make her an effective advocate for this reform.
A Nation Watching Closely
The significance of Agbamuche-Mbu’s assumption of office is not lost on Nigeria’s political elite. As the country inches toward another election cycle, every move within INEC is being scrutinized by politicians, party agents, and the media. Already, speculation is rife that her leadership may influence the appointment of new Resident Electoral Commissioners in key states where elections are expected to be fiercely contested in 2027.
Political observers warn that INEC’s leadership transition could also become a flashpoint for renewed power struggles. “There’s always a political dimension to every administrative change in INEC,” says Dr. Chika Odinkalu, a human rights advocate. “Whoever leads the Commission as we approach 2027 will play a defining role in shaping the legitimacy of that election.”
To her credit, Agbamuche-Mbu has maintained a low public profile since assuming office, avoiding political statements and focusing on administrative tasks. But sources close to the Commission say she has begun holding closed-door meetings with department heads, emphasizing the need for professionalism and integrity. “She has told us that the Commission must rebuild trust — not through words, but through performance,” one staff member told DDM News.
Civil Society Reactions
Civil society organizations have cautiously welcomed the transition, describing it as an opportunity for institutional renewal. The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) issued a statement urging Agbamuche-Mbu to prioritize transparency and stakeholder engagement. “INEC must return to the path of credibility,” the group said. “Nigerians deserve an electoral process that is not only free and fair but also trusted.”
Similarly, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) called for early electoral reforms and inclusive dialogue with political actors. “The acting chair has a unique chance to reset the Commission’s relationship with the public,” said CDD director Idayat Hassan. “But she must also push for reforms that ensure accountability within INEC itself.”
Women’s advocacy groups, on the other hand, have hailed her appointment as a victory for gender representation in governance. “This is historic,” said Dr. Josephine Okei-Odumakin, president of Women Arise. “Having a woman at the helm of INEC, even in acting capacity, sends a powerful message about inclusion and leadership capacity.”
Political Implications and 2027 Calculations
While Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment is technically an interim arrangement, its political implications are far-reaching. The 2027 elections are already shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most competitive since 1999, with shifting alliances, emerging third forces, and a restless electorate demanding change.
For now, she will have to manage both the internal expectations within INEC and the external pressures from political actors eager to influence the Commission’s direction. The possibility that President Bola Tinubu’s administration could nominate a new substantive chairman before the 2027 polls adds another layer of complexity.
“Every transition in INEC comes with political subtext,” says political scientist Dr. Kabiru Mato. “The question is not just about who is in charge, but whose interests are served — or resisted — by that leadership.”
The Road Ahead
As the dust settles on Yakubu’s exit, attention now turns to how Agbamuche-Mbu will lead Nigeria’s electoral umpire through a crucial period of rebuilding. She will need to demonstrate not only competence but also courage — the courage to challenge internal inefficiency, resist political interference, and inspire public trust.
Her tenure, however brief, could become a defining chapter in INEC’s institutional evolution. For a Commission that has weathered accusations of bias, operational failures, and credibility crises, this is a rare opportunity to reset — to prove that Nigeria’s democracy is still capable of self-correction.
Ultimately, the transition from Mahmood Yakubu to May Agbamuche-Mbu may not just be about a change in leadership; it may well represent a test of Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining democratic institutions beyond the individuals who lead them.
Post a Comment