In a significant shift at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu has been appointed acting chairman.
This change occurred following the formal handover from Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who proceeded on terminal leave, officially stepping down after a decade of stewardship.
The handover event took place on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
This transition marks the end of Yakubu’s tenure, which oversaw some of Nigeria’s most critical elections in recent history.
A Leadership Shift Shadowed by Discontent
Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s decade-long leadership has been both historic and contentious.
Though he was lauded for electoral reforms, his time was marred by growing discontent within the commission.
Before his departure, reports emerged accusing Yakubu of running INEC as a “one-man show.”
Staff grievances detailed alleged verbal abuse, vindictive transfers, and withholding of approved allowances from employees.
The “Concerned Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nationwide” wrote to President Bola Tinubu demanding Yakubu’s removal or facing mass protests.
Such revelations cast a shadow over the leadership transition and prompt serious questioning of INEC’s management culture.
Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu?
May Agbamuche-Mbu is no stranger to Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
As the longest-serving National Commissioner, she has supervised key states including Edo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
A seasoned legal expert, Agbamuche-Mbu has over 30 years of experience in law and dispute resolution.
Educated at Obafemi Awolowo University, she is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and holds advanced degrees in commercial and international law.
Her legal and arbitration expertise brings a fresh yet experienced face to INEC’s leadership.
Her appointment, though interim, is expected to stabilize the commission as it awaits the appointment of a substantive chairman by President Tinubu, subject to Senate approval.
Controversy Lingers Over INEC’s Internal Crisis
The timing of the handover raises questions.
Why did internal strife rise so high within a supposedly orderly institution like INEC?
How much did these internal conflicts impact Nigeria’s electoral credibility?
Transparency advocates and political analysts have expressed alarm, suggesting the leadership turmoil could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
The allegations of abuse and mismanagement must be addressed if the electoral body is to regain public trust.
What Lies Ahead for INEC Under Agbamuche-Mbu?
Agbamuche-Mbu’s acting chairmanship is both a fresh start and a test.
One essential challenge is to unify the fractured commission and restore confidence among staff and Nigerians alike.
Meanwhile, the political landscape awaits the appointment of a permanent chairman, with President Bola Tinubu expected to make the decision soon.
Senate confirmation looms as a critical step in this process.
The commission’s future effectiveness depends on addressing the allegations and improving internal governance.
Failure to do so risks perpetuating cynicism about electoral processes and democracy in Nigeria.
The Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
News of the leadership change and preceding allegations triggered wide social media discussions.
Many demand thorough investigations into Yakubu’s administration and transparency in the appointment procedure for his successor.
The public’s appetite for clean, credible elections makes INEC’s internal reform imperative.
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