Agbamuche-Mbu Takes Over as Acting INEC Chairman, Amupitan Tipped as Successor

By Jungle-Journalist.Com

Abuja — In a quiet but significant power shift at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu has taken over as Acting Chairman following the temporary exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who commenced his pre-retirement leave this week.

The handover, which took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, brings an end—at least for now—to Yakubu’s eventful nine-year reign as Nigeria’s chief electoral umpire. The move also comes amid heightened speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has zeroed in on Prof. Joash Amupitan, a respected legal scholar from Kogi State, as the likely nominee for substantive INEC Chairman.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, who until now served as National Commissioner representing Delta, Cross River and Edo States, is the most senior commissioner at the Commission and, by INEC tradition, automatically assumes leadership in an acting capacity whenever the office of Chairman becomes temporarily vacant.

In her brief remarks after taking over, Agbamuche-Mbu pledged to maintain institutional stability and continue reforms aimed at improving election credibility and technology-driven transparency. “We will sustain the Commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections,” she stated.

Outgoing Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, while handing over, thanked Nigerians for their support and urged the staff to extend the same cooperation to the acting leadership.

Meanwhile, the presidency has yet to make any formal announcement regarding Prof. Amupitan’s nomination or confirmation, despite growing reports suggesting his name tops the list of candidates being considered for the top electoral job.

Political observers note that the coming weeks will be crucial, as the Commission prepares for off-season elections in Edo and Ondo States, setting the tone for the 2027 general elections.

For now, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu holds the reins—steadying the ship of Nigeria’s democracy as the nation awaits President Tinubu’s official pronouncement on INEC’s next substantive Chairman.