Agbamuche-Mbu: Born in Kano, 4 Other Facts About New INEC Acting Chair as Mahmood Yakubu Hands Over

• Professor Mahmood Yakubu has unveiled May Agbamuche as the acting national chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
• Yakubu, who took office in 2015, announced his decision on Tuesday, October 7, during INEC's meeting with resident electoral commissioners in Abuja
• His meeting with the electoral commissioners officially marked the end of his tenure defined by some reforms and controversies in Nigeria’s election process

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially handed over duties to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been appointed acting national chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Agbamuche-Mbu, the longest-serving national commissioner at INEC, assumed the role on Tuesday, October 7, during a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) at the commission's headquarters in Abuja.

INEC: Agbamuche-Mbu takes over from Yakubu

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“Why I decided to step down as INEC chairman”: Yakubu opens up

Professor Yakubu urged the commissioners and directors to extend their full support to Agbamuche-Mbu as she leads the commission until a substantive chairman is appointed.

Legit.ng has highlighted five things to know about INEC's tentative boss, courtesy of TVC News:

1. May Agbamuche-Mbu is a seasoned legal expert with over three decades of experience in law, dispute resolution, and public service
2. She was born in Kano and hails from Delta state, reflecting a blend of northern and southern Nigerian cultural influences
3. May was also the editor of THISDAY LAWYER, a weekly legal pullout, where she published 120 “LEGAL EAGLE” editorials from 2014 to 2016
4. She is a certified arbitrator and has served as secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria branch)
5. Her marital life is private with no public details, but she uses a hyphenated surname indicating a marital connection.

Tinubu honours Agbamuche-Mbu's predecessor

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has accepted Prof Yakubu's departure as chairman of the INEC following the expiration of his second term in office.

Legit.ng reports that he was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.

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What INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu told Tinubu in his resignation letter

According to a statement shared on October 7, 2025, by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu thanked Prof Yakubu for 'his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria's democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure'.

As reported by Daily Trust, President Tinubu said in recognition of Yakubu's "dedicated service" to Nigeria, he has bestowed on Yakubu the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Yakubu gives reason for INEC's exit

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Yakubu said he handed over the leadership of INEC to pave the way for the appointment of a new chairman.

Yakubu stated that his decision was to allow the new INEC chairman to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.

The professor explained that he was aware of the enormity of the challenges ahead, having gained almost 10 years of experience in the same position.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng