President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to announce a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this week, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey as the nation begins its countdown to the 2027 general elections.
Following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s second and final tenure, the President has accepted his departure and conferred upon him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in recognition of his decade-long service to Nigeria’s electoral system. Yakubu officially handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner, who will serve as Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
The announcement of the new INEC Chair is expected after the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where President Tinubu will present a list of nominees for consideration. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, and other Council members are anticipated to advise on the selection.
Under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC introduced key reforms including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal, which were instrumental in enhancing transparency during the 2023 elections. His tenure also saw a significant expansion of polling units and the institutionalization of continuous voter registration.
Civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have urged the President to ensure transparency in the selection process. SERAP emphasized the importance of public trust and impartiality, calling for the disclosure of candidate names and consultation with the Council of State as constitutionally required.