After ten controversial years, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has finally stepped down as chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC. He handed over to May Agbamuche as acting chair on Tuesday.
Yakubu, appointed in 2015, oversaw two presidential elections widely criticised for logistical chaos and credibility gaps. Opposition parties and civic groups accused INEC, under his leadership, of inefficiency and complicity in electoral manipulation.
As President Bola Tinubu prepares to appoint a new chairman, concerns are growing that the process will again prioritise political loyalty over competence. “INEC must not remain an appendage of the ruling party,” warned one civic activist.
Though Yakubu urged staff to support his successor, many Nigerians remain disillusioned. Trust in elections has plummeted since 2023, with turnout hitting record lows.
Observers say whoever replaces Yakubu must restore confidence through transparency — not photo-ops or hollow promises. “Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive on compromised elections,” said another critic.
