Power Shift At INEC: Inside The Political Drama That Made Yakubu Hand Over Office Before Time

The longest-serving National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), May Agbamuche-Mbu, has assumed leadership of the commission in an acting capacity following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment came after Yakubu formally handed over the reins of the commission during a brief ceremony held at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, amid a consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Meanwhile, emerging details indicate that Yakubu’s early departure may have been influenced by developments surrounding the registration of new political parties under his administration.

According to a report by Vanguard, INEC, under Yakubu’s leadership, had processed nearly a dozen registrations out of over 110 applications submitted by groups seeking recognition as political parties.

Yakubu reportedly viewed the exercise as part of his legacy project aimed at broadening Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

However, sources disclosed that one of the newly approved parties was allegedly being positioned as a political backup for a powerful politician eyeing the governorship seat of a state in the South-East.

The move was said to have infuriated the state’s incumbent governor, who allegedly stormed Abuja to register his displeasure.

By the close of last month, Yakubu was reportedly directed to begin his exit process and hand over authority to the most senior national commissioner, paving the way for Agbamuche-Mbu’s assumption of office.