Yakubu hands over to Agbamuche-Mbu as acting INEC chair

Mahmood Yakubu has handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as Acting National Chairman of the Commission.

The transition was confirmed on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7.

The handover marks a significant change in Nigeria’s electoral leadership, as Yakubu’s two-term, 10-year tenure is set to conclude in November. He has led the Commission since his appointment in 2015.

Announcing the transition, Yakubu said: “I have today handed over to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission until a substantive replacement is appointed.”

He also urged INEC management staff and commissioners to extend their full cooperation and support to Agbamuche-Mbu as she takes charge of the Commission’s affairs.

Ruth Tene Natsa,

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.